Dunhuang Flying Apsaras Ceramic Tea Tray – Bamboo Base

A Dunhuang Flying Apsaras tea tray for dry-brewing gongfu tea — a ceramic tray set on a heavy bamboo base, carved with the swirling feitian figures of the Mogao Caves.

Craft & Materials

The tea surface is ceramic, decorated with the Dunhuang Flying Apsaras motif — the ribboned celestial dancers who scatter flowers and play instruments across the walls of the Mogao Caves. The tray sits on a heavy bamboo base (zhong zhu), a dense, reconstituted bamboo that keeps the tray stable, protects the table, and won't warp with use.

Size & Use

• Designed for dry brewing (gan pao): a flat tray without a water reservoir, for a tidy, minimalist tea table
• Holds a teapot or gaiwan and a few cups for a small session
• Best for: gongfu tea, oolong, pu-erh, or any slow tea ritual
• Pairs with: the matching Dunhuang relief tea saucer for a complete set

Care

• Wipe the ceramic surface with a soft, damp cloth after use
• Keep the bamboo base dry; avoid soaking it in water
• Keep away from direct heat and prolonged sunlight

About the Dunhuang Motif

The feitian — or flying apsaras — are the celestial dancers of the Dunhuang murals, painted for over a thousand years along the Silk Road. Their ribbons and gestures have become a symbol of flight, music, and the meeting of cultures.

Choose the tray for the tea table, and add the matching relief saucer to complete the scene.