Zisha Monkey King Tea Pet

This Purple Clay Wukong Tea Pet is a unique presence on the tea table, skillfully combining traditional purple clay craftsmanship with the iconic image of Wukong. Crafted by Li Jingyi, daughter of Gu Yanxin, it carries both the heritage of craftsmanship and personal artistic expression, making it perfect for both personal use and as a gift.

First, let’s clarify: purple clay tea pets are small ceramic artworks made from purple clay, either by hand or mold. They are often placed on tea trays, serving both decorative purposes and playful enjoyment. This Wukong tea pet is a wonderful embodiment of such artistry, blending purple clay craftsmanship with tea culture.

1. Design

The Purple Clay Wukong Tea Pet is modeled after the legendary Monkey King, Wukong. It sits cross-legged with hands clasped in a prayer pose, exuding an air of calm and wisdom. The hairstyle is intricately designed, resembling Wukong's iconic headgear, and the facial features, though simplified, capture the essence of his spirited demeanor. The details on the clothing, such as the patterns and folds, are delicately sculpted, showing a sense of ancient Chinese style. Every line and curve reflects the designer’s understanding of both Wukong’s image and the aesthetic of purple clay art.

2. Craftsmanship Details

In terms of craftsmanship, this tea pet is a testament to meticulous handiwork—consistent with the traditional process of purple clay artifacts, yet with unique artistic touches.

- Hand-shaping: Li Jingyi employed techniques like pinching, sculpting, and carving to shape Wukong’s form. Using bamboo knives and steel needles, she refined every detail: the lines on Wukong's headgear are smooth and well-defined, each scale-like pattern on the clothing is vividly presented, and the wrinkles in the fabric carry a three-dimensional effect, highlighting the artisan's skill.

- Fine-tuning: After the initial shaping, the tea pet was left to air-dry naturally for 1-2 days until semi-hard. During this period, any cracks were repaired, and the surface was polished to ensure flawlessness—laying the foundation for its smooth texture.

- Firing: It was then fired in a kiln at 1100-1200℃ for about 10 hours, with temperature adjustments tailored to the clay material. This high-temperature firing enhances its sturdiness while bringing out the warm color of the purple clay.

- Finishing touches: Post-firing, the tea pet underwent polishing to enhance its luster, allowing its natural texture to shine through.

The facial expression, with eyes slightly closed, seems to convey a state of meditation—each nuance, from the furrow of the brow to the curve of the lips, is a result of careful carving, adding an artistic and cultural depth to the piece.

3. Material Quality

It is made of high-quality purple clay, sourced from purple clay mines in places like Huanglong Mountain, Yixing—including premium varieties such as 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 texture.

This purple clay boasts excellent air permeability and water absorption. Over time, as it absorbs tea water during tea ceremonies, the tea pet will gradually change in color—becoming more lustrous and moist, developing a unique warm sheen. This "nurturing" process is where the value of purple clay tea pets lies: they grow with the tea lover, becoming a unique companion in tea rituals.

Like purple clay teapots, this tea pet shares a similar production process but with more diverse styling. It is not just a practical ornament but also an elegant artifact that embodies the integration of purple clay craftsmanship and tea culture, carrying the good wishes of both the artisan and the tea lover.