Jong Ceramics

Jong Ceramics is based in London, United Kingdom, and produces hand-thrown minimal, durable and functional porcelain and stoneware ceramics that can be used in everyday life.

The collection is split into three parts:
(a) tea-ware that are influenced by traditional East Asian forms;
(b) functional forms that emphasise the tactility of clay-as-material, in combination with glazes which play with the forms produced.
(c) sculptural ceramics

Experimentation is a deeply integrated part of the production process. A lot of time is dedicated to discovering and testing the seemingly endless possibilities of glaze, clay and forms, resulting with a high percentage of failure and a very low percentage of success. When something works, the reward is worth the struggle.

As all pieces are unique (no two pieces are the exactly identical), the pieces will become more meaningful with age, especially the more the pieces are used.

Jong Ceramics produces a range of handmade teaware for loose teas in stoneware and porcelain. These pieces can be used individually or to practice Gongfu Cha style tea service.

Gaiwan (蓋碗): lidded tea bowls that are typically used for brewing tea leaves. It is formed of three parts: the base, the main body and the lid. Gaiwans are suitable for many styles of premium teas, especially those offering complex aromas such as oolong and pu-er.
Tea Cups (茶杯): small cups to drink tea from after brewing the tea in a tea pot.
Tea Pots (茶壺): use to brew tea in and then poured into smaller tea cups.
Side handled tea pots (側把壺): teapots used to brew tea in and then poured into smaller tea cups, similar to a standard teapot but with a side handle.
Tea Pitchers (公道杯): used to pour brewed tea into and then served into smaller tea cups. Suitable to avoid over-brewing and have tea ready and waiting for seconds.
Tea Pitchers with lids (手抓壺): used to pour brewed tea into and then served into smaller tea cups.
Tea Jars (茶葉罐): storage jars/ caddy with a lid to place your tea leaves in.
Tea Boats (剛炮台 or 壺承): wide dish for tea preparation which a raised component in the centre to hold the teapot or gaiwan.
Matcha bowls (抹茶碗): bowls with higher walls to whisk matcha in.

We all love ceramic pieces which we can use! Jong Ceramics makes a range of functional pieces, including mugs, crucibles, bowls, jugs, vases, candleholders, incense holders and plant pots.

Every single piece is carefully thrown on the wheel and turned before being fully dried then bisque-fired in the kiln. Once out of the kiln, the bisque-fired ware are glazed then fired again at a higher temperature. 

All glazes used are Jong Ceramics own recipes and are developed to work with the clay used. 

Jong Ceramics pieces are durable and can be use again and again in perpetuity, but with any handmade piece, they need to be taken care of. DO NOT put the pieces in the microwave due to the iron content in the clay or glaze, and hand-wash all pieces. 

All pieces are unique and are made in small batches. For any commissions, please get in contact!

Jong Ceramics also makes unique sculptural ceramics which are hand built or slip-casted.

Currently, creating gongshi ceramics sculptures is the artistic obsession. The series of gongshi sculptures are inspired by the spirit stones of the Chinese literati. 

These spirit stones were originally found in nature and on occasion enhanced by carving and piercing the stones, or making inscriptions. The rocks were often brought to the scholars from remote places, the finest coming from riverbeds or mountains. From as early as the Neolithic period — nearly 7,000 years ago — prized stones and jade have been found buried in tombs. It was not until the late Tang dynasty (618-907) that scholar’s rocks were collected in earnest. In the Song dynasty (960-1279) we begin to see their influence on Chinese literature and have been regarded as scholar stones, literati stones or spirit stones since.

Jong Ceramics strives to be as green as possible and therefore almost everything is saved as much as possible, included recycled trimmings, throwing water, and sediment washed off equipment and tools which is collected in a bucket or under the sink. Jong Ceramics hand built sculptures are made from the reclaimed residue of used clay. The reclaimed clay is left to dry to a consistency where you can handle the clay without it being watery and then wedged so it can be used again.

Jong Ceramics makes plant pots because plants are just everything! Jong Ceramics has an indoor jungle and an outdoor jungle and therefore also propagates plants especially succulents. These are also available for sale with any plant pots. 

Plants include:

Purple Oxalis Triangulas
Crassula Ovata (Jade Money Plant)
Pilea Peperomioides
Sedum Burrito
Echeveria varieties
Geraniums