Japanese Shino Kiln-Change Hand-Painted Dongli Black Cat Ceramic Gongfu Teapot Rest Tray - 14.3cm

A compact Japanese-inspired Shino kiln-change ceramic tray featuring a hand-painted Dongli black cat motif and a warm, softly aged glaze. Designed primarily as a Gongfu teapot rest, it can also serve as a small tea tray, presentation plate or decorative fruit dish, making it a versatile accent for a refined tea table.

Shino Kiln-Change Character

The surface combines cream, warm orange, sand and speckled charcoal tones for a naturally varied, wabi-sabi appearance. The shallow round form is visually quiet enough to support a teapot while the black cat illustration adds a distinctive focal point.

Dongli Black Cat Motif

The central hand-painted cat design gives the piece a playful personality without making it feel overly decorative. Its restrained brushwork works especially well with rustic pottery, dark wood tea trays and other kiln-effect teaware.

Specifications

Type: teapot rest / tea tray / serving plate
Material: ceramic
Diameter: approx. 14.3cm
Height: approx. 3.2cm
Form: shallow round tray
Style: Japanese-inspired Shino kiln-change
Motif: Dongli black cat

How to Use It

Place a teapot or small gaiwan on the tray to catch occasional drips during Gongfu brewing. The shallow basin can also receive a tea strainer after pouring, hold a few tasting accessories, or be used as a small presentation dish for fruit, sweets or dry snacks.

Tea Table Styling

Pair it with walnut, bamboo, natural linen, stone and understated ceramics for a calm Chinese-Japanese tea setting. It works particularly well in a personal tea corner, study, tea room or Neo-Chinese interior where layered natural textures are preferred over highly polished tableware.

Traditional Tea Culture Context

A teapot rest helps define the working area of a Gongfu tea table and keeps the brewing surface visually organized. This piece gives that practical role a more decorative, collectible character through its kiln-change glaze and cat motif.

Gift Appeal

Its combination of practical tea-table use and characterful cat artwork makes it a thoughtful gift for Gongfu tea drinkers, cat lovers and collectors of expressive Asian-inspired ceramics.

Care

Rinse gently after use and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive pads, sudden temperature changes and hard impacts. Small differences in glaze tone, speckling and painted detail are normal for kiln-effect and hand-finished ceramic pieces.

FAQ

What is this piece mainly used for?
It is designed as a teapot rest for Gongfu tea service, helping catch drips beneath a teapot or small brewing vessel.

Can it be used as a serving plate?
Yes. Its shallow 14.3cm form also works well for fruit, sweets, tea snacks or decorative presentation.

How large is it?
Approximately 14.3cm in diameter and 3.2cm high.

Is every piece identical?
No. Slight kiln-tone, speckling and painted-detail differences are part of the individual character of this style.

Does it work with Chinese Gongfu teaware?
Yes. Its compact size and shallow form make it easy to integrate into Gongfu tea tables alongside teapots, fairness cups and tasting cups.