Tall Base Tea Tray

Product Overview

– Name: High-Footed Tea Tray (Cloud-and-Thunder Pattern · Medallion Pattern)

– Clay Type: Black Duan Ni

– Form: Tea Tray / Pot Stand

Craftsmanship Features

The tray is grounded with a matte enamel base, overlaid with silver-painted cloud-and-thunder (Yunlei) patterns from the Warring States to Han period, and further adorned with glossy enamel medallion (Tuanke) patterns. Three decorative layers are superimposed in a complex, intricate process.

The cloud-and-thunder pattern (Yunlei Wen) is a classic decorative motif on bronze vessels from the Warring States to Han period, composed of continuous spiraling square (thunder) and circular (cloud) lines. Commonly found on bronze and jade objects, it symbolizes the qi of heaven and earth and auspicious omens.

The medallion pattern (Tuanke Wen), also called the posy pattern, is a circular self-contained motif that flourished in the Tang dynasty, combining flowers or animals into round compositions. Ke (窠) means nest or dwelling; tuanke refers to placing a thematic motif within a circular frame—a representative Tang dynasty silk pattern.

Placing Warring States–Han cloud-and-thunder patterns alongside Tang dynasty medallion patterns on a single vessel spans a millennium, symbolizing “inheriting antiquity and embracing auspiciousness.”