Pufferfish Tea Set

Moving beyond the stiff, solemn stereotypes of traditional teaware, this original tea set by CHUNXITONG Copper—comprising a teapot, a saucer, and a cup—brings together playful natural motifs, Eastern symbolism, and everyday utility to create a contemporary tea ritual that is both healing and culturally resonant.

Inspired by a puffed-up pufferfish, the teapot takes on a full, rounded silhouette that captures the creature’s plump charm. Its purple-copper body is finished with a special coloring technique that recreates the “Qi purple” hue. This distinctive color nods to Duke Huan of Qi’s fondness for purple during the Spring and Autumn period, and echoes the idiom “purple air comes from the east”—a propitious omen in Chinese culture. Hand-hammered textures enrich the surface, combining the playful charm of the creature with classical refinement. Functionally, the signature angled lid allows steam to escape safely when brewing over an open flame and makes refilling easy. The straight spout ensures a clean, drip-free pour, while the side handle, wrapped in heat-resistant weaving, offers a comfortable and secure grip.

The cup continues the pufferfish’s endearing shape, with hammered purple copper mimicking the texture of its skin. A dalbergia melanoxylon handle, sculpted to resemble a fish fin, adds a playful touch and creates an elegant contrast between the dark wood and the warm purple-copper tone. Ergonomically curved for a single-hand grip and benefiting from the natural insulation of solid wood, the handle feels warm and secure in hand, making daily tea drinking a more relaxed, restorative ritual.

The saucer draws inspiration from a school of pufferfish gliding through the highland waters of Fuxian Lake, taking the form of a rounded shallow dish. Hand-hammered textures combined with high-temperature color infusion create a blue-to-purple gradient that mirrors the play of light on water. Intricate openwork carving of swimming pufferfish brings the scene to life while providing heat insulation and neatly catching any drips, making the saucer both a functional base and an ornamental piece of art.