Yaozhou Ware: Olive Green Bamboo-Style Tea Leaf Presentation Tray (Cha He)

Handcrafted in Huangbao | Mt. Ta’er Mineral Glaze | San Shi Studio | 12cm

“A fragment of emerald bamboo, frozen in the olive-green mist of the Northern Song.”

At ZENTAOEAST, we celebrate the enduring legacy of the “Five Great Kilns” and their contemporary descendants. This Olive Green Bamboo-Style Cha He (Tea Presentation Tray) is a tribute to the storied Yaozhou Ware (耀州窑) of Shaanxi. Crafted by the San Shi Studio (叁石工作室) in Huangbao Town—the very cradle of Yaozhou ceramics—this vessel captures the rugged yet refined spirit of Northern Chinese celadon.

The Terroir: Stones of Mt. Ta’er (塔尔山)

The soul of Yaozhou Ware lies in its glaze. This piece utilizes a traditional mineral glaze formulated from original stones sourced from Mt. Ta’er, near the ancient kiln sites.

• Imperial Olive Green: Fired to a deep, lustrous Olive Green (橄榄绿), the glaze possesses an extraordinary “fat” (thick and glossy) texture. Depending on the light, it shifts between translucent emerald and rich, earthy moss.

• Mineral Depth: The use of natural mountain stones ensures a complex, vibrant color that mimics the depth of ancient jade.

The Form: The Scholarly Bamboo

The silhouette is an organic interpretation of a half-split bamboo segment.

• Symbolism: In Chinese culture, bamboo represents integrity, humility, and the upright spirit of the scholar.

• The Hidden Detail: The reverse side of the tray features a sophisticated Molded Bamboo Motif (印花). This “Yin Hua” technique is a signature of the Yaozhou tradition, where intricate patterns are pressed into the clay, creating a subtle, tactile relief that is revealed as you handle the tray.

Function: The Ritual of Presentation

A Cha He (茶荷) is the gateway to the tea ceremony.

• Appreciating the Leaf: At 12cm long, it provides a perfect stage for guests to admire the color, shape, and aroma of the dry tea leaves before brewing.

• Graceful Pouring: The tapered, bamboo-like shape allows for a smooth, controlled delivery of leaves into the teapot, ensuring the leaves are treated with the respect they deserve.

About Yaozhou Ware (耀州窑)

Originating in the Tang Dynasty and reaching its absolute peak during the Northern Song, Yaozhou Ware is celebrated as one of China’s most significant celadon traditions. Based in Huangbao, Tongchuan, it is famous for its sharp, energetic “deep-cut” carvings and exquisite molded patterns. While dynasties have changed, the fire has never truly died; today, studios like San Shi continue this thousand-year lineage, preserving the “Olive Green” heritage for the modern tea table.

Curator’s Verdict

“Holding this Yaozhou Cha He feels like holding a piece of Shaanxi history. I am deeply impressed by the Mt. Ta’er mineral glaze—it has an ‘oily’ clarity that is far superior to modern industrial celadons. The choice of the bamboo form is a brilliant nod to the literati tea tradition. It is a sturdy, dignified tool that reminds us that in the tea ceremony, the presentation is just as important as the brew.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator