A woodcarver’s workshop in Lijiang
Michael Zhan came across this workshop in a narrow lane of Lijiang’s old town in spring 2024. The master carver, Li Weimin, has been working with local walnut and cherry wood for over thirty years, originally making temple furnishings before turning to smaller tea objects. He still uses his grandfather’s chisels for the fine detailing — a tea leaf motif curling along the slim handle of the smallest spoon, a mountain etched into the stem of the larger one — and finishes each piece with a thin coat of camellia oil, food‑safe and entirely neutral. Michael spent two afternoons with Li, observing how he balanced weight and curve so each spoon lifts exactly the right amount of leaf. The set of three was Li’s suggestion: a short‑handled version for a gaiwan or small gongfu pot, a medium spoon for a larger vessel, and a long tasting spoon that doubles as a scoop. Every set is checked by Michael’s procurement team before shipping — no batch‑run inconsistencies, no shortcuts. The wood dries for a season before shaping, so the spoons won’t warp even in a hot, humid tea room. This is the sort of object that fades into your daily ritual, handled a dozen times a session but never demanding attention.