These tea caddies by the Czech potter Jiri Ducheck were made from a stoneware clay gathered and refined from his own property in the village of Mutejovice. Inspired by ceramics of China, Korea, and Vietnam, he is always experimenting with different locally sourced materials to reproduce glazes that approximate the spirit of Asian ceramics. 

Duchek covered these caddies with a rich and flowing ash glaze made from the wood of local fruit trees. The bursts of rich orange brown are iron-oxide gathered from an old blacksmith’s shop. The “hammer scales” are the tiny remnants that separated from the anvil as it was hammered during use. The flowing, spotted glaze reminds me of the Song dynasty tortoiseshell glazes from the Jizhou kilns. 

The lids of the caddies are also made from stoneware but glazed a creamy white. Antique tea jars often have lids made of ivory, but, today, potters use other materials to give a similar appearance. Duchek even manages to carve tiny knobs and grooves similar to the traditional lids. The delicate work involved in making these tiny jars and refined lids is a testament to Duchek’s remarkable skill as a potter.

Duchek dedicates his ceramics practice largely to making tea wares used in the preparation and serving of Chinese tea. He enjoys tea in the Gongfu style, not only to drink, but also as a way of life. He even signs many of his messages to me “good tea to you!”

New from the artist’s studio.