This is a handmade Chinese lacquer tea tray, finished in flowing gold lacquer (Liu Jin, 流金) that runs in long streaks along the length of a deep black surface, by HFDlacquerware (禾丰鼎). At 19.7" × 7.1", it holds a teapot and cups for gongfu tea, and doubles as a display tray or a scholar's desk tray between sessions.

Gold powder is mixed into natural raw lacquer (生漆) and dropped freely onto the surface, then left to settle into its own pattern, so no two trays are alike. Once fully cured, natural lacquer stands up well to warmth and everyday use at the tea table. It arrives in a gift box and makes a considered gift for someone who takes their tea practice seriously.

The gold runs the way water runs over stones in a shallow stream: never in a straight line, never standing still. Set a teapot down, and it sits at the edge of the current.

Also available: see the other Flowing Gold Tea Trays in Red & Gold and Black & Green, and the Dry Brewing Tea Tray.