Money Bag Little Tiger Tea Pet

This Purple Clay Roaring Little Tiger Tea Pet is a unique presence on the tea table, skillfully combining traditional purple clay craftsmanship with a cute tiger image. Created by Li Jingyi, daughter of Gu Yanxin, it carries both the heritage of craftsmanship and personal artistic expression. As a typical purple clay tea pet, it belongs to the category of small ceramic artworks made from purple clay—either by hand or with molds—often placed on tea trays to serve both decorative and playful purposes. Its production process is similar to that of purple clay teapots, but with more diverse shapes, making it a delightful blend of art and daily tea culture. It is very suitable for both personal use and as a gift.

1. Design

The Purple Clay Roaring Little Tiger Tea Pet is modeled after a cute little tiger. Its body is round and plump, with wide-open eyes and a slightly open mouth as if roaring, adding a bit of vividness and playfulness. The stripes on the tiger are smooth and natural, complementing the brown-yellow main color, showing a charmingly naive look. Such a vivid design is a testament to the flexibility of purple clay tea pet creation, where artisans can give life to various images through their craftsmanship.

2. Craftsmanship Details

In terms of craftsmanship, this tea pet is extremely refined, embodying the elaborate process of purple clay tea pet making. The little tiger's eyes are distinctly black and white and bright; its whiskers are clearly visible and full of three-dimensionality; the texture on its body is delicate and lifelike, just like the texture of real fur.

Behind these exquisite details lies a strict production process: First, the purple clay used is sourced from purple clay mines in places like Huanglong Mountain, Yixing—including purple clay, vermilion clay, and duan clay. The raw material undergoes a rigorous process: weathering, crushing, sieving, and kneading with water to remove impurities, resulting in a fine, uniform clay. Then, Li Jingyi employed traditional techniques like pinching, sculpting, and carving to shape the little tiger’s form. Using tools such as bamboo knives and steel needles, she meticulously polished the details. Following the tradition of purple clay art, part of the tea pet features inscriptions and seal stamps to boost its artistic value. Especially on its black cape, there are blessing words written in golden font, such as "Happy Every Day" and "Peace and Happiness", which not only add a cultural charm but also convey good wishes.

After shaping, the tea pet was naturally air-dried for 1-2 days until semi-hard, with any cracks repaired and the surface polished to ensure flawlessness. It was then fired in a kiln at 1100-1200℃ for about 10 hours, with the temperature adjusted according to the clay material to achieve a warm and smooth color. Final touches like polishing and painting enhanced its texture, making the little tiger’s image even more vivid.

3. Material Quality

It is made of high-quality purple clay, with a fine texture and being sturdy and durable. Purple clay has good air permeability and water absorption. Over time, the tea pet will change in color due to absorbing tea water, becoming more and more moist, and gradually forming its own unique warm luster and charm, with its color becoming full and delicate as it absorbs the essence of tea. This "nurturing" process is where its value lies: it grows with the tea lover, eventually becoming a one-of-a-kind presence on the tea table.

Blending purple clay craftsmanship with tea culture, this Purple Clay Roaring Little Tiger Tea Pet is not just a practical ornament but also an elegant plaything that carries good wishes. It accompanies tea lovers through every tea session, making the experience of tea-drinking even more meaningful.