At Tongxinshe Teahouse, we have always believed that the flavor of a fine cup of tea comes not only from its origin and craftsmanship, but also from the careful preservation it receives over time. Today, we are delighted to share with you the Jinmian Lacquer & Gold Tin Tea Caddy—a carefully selected companion for tea lovers, found after an extensive search for the perfect vessel.
Hailing from Gejiu, Yunnan, this tea caddy is a harmonious blend of traditional lacquer craftsmanship and a pure tin body. Lacquer art, also known as "qi yi," is an intangible cultural heritage of China with a history of thousands of years, and its rarity lies in several key aspects: it uses the natural sap of the lacquer tree as raw material, requiring dozens of layers of painting, sanding, and polishing. Each layer must air-dry naturally in a humid environment, often taking over a month to complete the lacquering process for a single tea caddy. Artisans infuse gold leaf fragments into the reddish-brown lacquer base, and after repeated polishing, the surface develops mottled golden patches that resemble molten sunset gold sinking into a deep pool—each texture is an irreplicable mark of handcraft. Furthermore, the lacquer surface will develop a warm patina over time, nourished by years of handling and body heat, becoming richer in color and a unique "time stamp" that belongs only to you. Held in the hand, the caddy feels as smooth as jade, with the lacquer surface shimmering subtly as light dances across it. Placed on a tea tray, it serves not only as a practical tea storage vessel but also as an elegant piece of Eastern aesthetic decor.
Tinware has long been the preferred choice for tea storage among imperial families and literati, a preference rooted in tin's innate tea-preserving properties: its high density and excellent malleability allow the lid to seal tightly with the body, effectively blocking air, moisture, and odors to prevent oxidation and dampness in tea. Pure tin is chemically stable, so it does not react with tea or impart any metallic aftertaste, preserving the tea's original aroma and fresh taste to the fullest. Additionally, tinware features a micro-porous structure that enables gentle air exchange—locking in fragrance while allowing the tea to "breathe" slowly, making it ideal for the long-term storage of teas that benefit from aging, such as white tea and rock tea.
Crafted from 99.9% pure tin, this tea caddy has a capacity of approximately 120g for Tieguanyin, or 60g for rock tea, dancong, longjing, silver needle, or white peony, meeting daily tea storage needs. Its compact size—109mm in height and 103mm in diameter—paired with a 55mm wide inner mouth, saves space on your tea tray while making it easy to access your tea.
At Tongxinshe, we have seen too many exceptional teas lose their flavor due to improper storage. The Jinmian Tea Caddy was created to reduce such regrets. Its handcrafted texture and warm color complement the rich honey notes of our rock teas and the floral aromas of our dancong, turning the act of tea storage into a moment of enjoyment. Whether you are seeking a secure home for your aged tea collection or a thoughtful gift for a fellow tea enthusiast, this lacquer and tin caddy embodies the warmth of "preserving tea in artistry and conveying affection through vessels."
If you wish to give your cherished teas a warm and elegant home, we invite you to visit Tongxinshe Teahouse and experience the Jinmian Lacquer & Gold Tin Tea Caddy in person, where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary tea life.