Slumped Matcha Chawan — Handmade Stoneware by Brooker Ceramics
The matcha chawan holds a quiet confidence. This handmade stoneware cup marries Japanese tea ceremony tradition with wabi sabi philosophy, where asymmetry and imperfection become intention. The deliberately slumped walls create a surface that feels as considered as it looks. Thrown and shaped by hand in an Oxfordshire studio, every variation speaks to its handmade origins. Whether you brew your daily matcha in this cup or display it as sculptural ware, it finds equal purpose in ritual and stillness.
Form & Character
The chawan form is specific. Rooted in Japanese tradition, it's designed for the hand and the moment. This slumped version breaks symmetry intentionally. The walls lean and settle where the clay wanted to fall, creating a natural asymmetry that feels deliberate, not accidental. Place it on a shelf and it stops the eye. The hand-carved foot adds another layer of character, visible when held and touched. The matte surface speaks in soft tones. When light catches the rim or travels across the walls, there's no shine, only depth. This is a cup that asks you to slow down.
Made for the Table. Built for Display.
You pour hot water and hold this cup with both hands. The warmth travels through the clay walls, reaching you. The asymmetrical walls fit differently in your hand each time you lift it, a small irregularity that becomes meditative in use. The hand-carved foot, textured and varied, marks each piece as singular. After the ritual, this cup moves to your shelf or desk with ease. Its sculptural presence anchors a corner of your space. The slumped profile stands on its own without explanation or apology. In this piece, the table and the shelf are equally natural homes. It earns its place in both. Whether held or displayed, it asks you to look closely.
Handcrafted in Oxfordshire
This matcha chawan was thrown and shaped by hand in an Oxfordshire studio. The form begins at the wheel, then moves into the maker's hands for the slump. That's when the walls shift and settle, creating the irregular profile. Every cup responds differently to this process, so no two slumped chawans are exactly alike. After shaping, the foot is hand-carved, a final mark of the maker's touch. The stoneware is then fired to a high temperature, where the surface matures into a soft, durable finish. This is not industrial production. Every step is considered, every variation speaks to its handmade origin.
Quality & Care
The surface is food-safe, waterproof, and fully functional for daily use. High-firing in the kiln makes the stoneware dense and durable, able to withstand the rigors of daily rituals. The combination of matte finishes creates a surface that is hard-wearing and chip resistant. In the kitchen, hand-wash this cup gently. Some modern dishwashers are fine, but we recommend testing your own first. Let it dry naturally. Because it's high-fired stoneware, thermal shock is less of a concern than with thinner ceramics, but drastic temperature changes are best avoided. This cup will age beautifully with use. Small marks and patina honor its place in your daily ritual. Treat it as you would a cherished object, and it will reward you with decades of service.
About Brooker Ceramics
Brooker Ceramics is an Oxfordshire studio dedicated to handmade functional ware and sculptural ceramics. The maker throws, shapes, and fires each piece by hand, without production shortcuts. Over 25,000 people follow the work on YouTube, watching clay transform into cups, bowls, and art. The philosophy is simple: respect the material, honor tradition (especially Japanese ceramic traditions and the wabi sabi aesthetic), and make things that earn their place in your home because you choose them, not because you need them. Every piece carries the story of its making. Every variation is a signature of its handmade origin. This is a studio where craft matters.
Handmade, so there may be variations in shape and glaze.
Refund policyOur refund and returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we are unable to offer a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused, in the same condition you received it, and in its original packaging. A receipt or proof of purchase is required for all returns. Please do not send your purchase back to Country living; instead, follow the steps below to return your item to Brooker Ceramics.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned:
- Perishable items such as plants, food, and flowers.
- Gift cards, downloadable software, some health and personal care items, and intimate or sanitary goods.
- Hazardous materials or items containing flammable liquids or gases.
Returns for Ceramics
- Ceramics are eligible for return within 30 days of purchase.
- Returned ceramics must be unused and in the same condition in which you received them, including their original packaging.
- To initiate a return, please contact us via email at hello@earthandclay.co.uk for instructions. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
- Once we receive and inspect the returned item, we will notify you via email of the approval or rejection of your refund. If approved, your refund will be processed, and a credit will be applied to your original method of payment within a certain amount of days.
Partial Refunds
In certain situations, only partial refunds may be granted. This may apply to:
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged, or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item returned more than 30 days after delivery.
Sale Items
Only regular-priced items may be refunded. Sale items are non-refundable.
Exchanges
We replace items only if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange an item for the same one, please contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk and we will provide a return address.
Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you will receive a gift credit for the return value. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift at the time of purchase, or if the gift giver had the item shipped to themselves, we will send the refund to the gift giver.
Shipping Returns
Please contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk and we will provide a return address. Shipping costs for returns are the customer’s responsibility and are non-refundable. If a refund is issued, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from the refund amount.
For higher-value items, we recommend using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance, as we cannot guarantee receipt of your returned item.
Late or Missing Refunds
If you have not received your refund within the expected timeframe, please:
- Check your bank account.
- Contact your credit card company, as there may be a delay in processing.
- Contact your bank, as processing times may vary.
If you have completed these steps and still have not received your refund, please contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk.
Need Help?
Contact us at hello@earthandclay.co.uk for any questions related to refunds and returns. Thank you for supporting Brooker Ceramics and Plants!