Image from book page 291
Zhé Yán Yāngāng
折沿烟缸
When a master potter makes your ashtray, it's art.
Don't let the name fool you — this sturdy little piece from the late 1970s blurs the line between functional art and everyday life, serving as an ashtray crafted from Yixing's prized Duan clay. Hand-carved by artisan Tan Jinghai, its folded rim gives it a clean, architectural edge that feels surprisingly modern. It's a charming reminder that Yixing potters brought the same care and artistry to practical objects as they did to their most celebrated teapots.
Did You Know?
Yixing workshops during the late 1970s produced a surprising variety of non-teapot items — ashtrays, brush washers, and inkstones — as artisans navigated the cultural and economic shifts of post-Cultural Revolution China, yet still signed their work with pride.
Original Source Details ▾
# 62
## Duan Clay Folded-Rim Ashtray
**Base seal:** Jingzhou
**Period:** Late 1970s
**Notes:** Carved by Tan Jinghai