Slumped Matcha Cup, Handmade Stoneware by Brooker Ceramics
This handmade stoneware matcha cup honours the Japanese chawan tradition whilst standing entirely in its own form. A sculptural ceramic that acknowledges tea ceremony ritual while speaking to contemporary life, the deliberately slumped silhouette breaks from rigid geometry. It asks to be held, used, and lived with. A vessel that functions as both ritual object and intimate companion. And yet it stands equally at home on display, a quiet presence that earns its place in your room, asking nothing but rewarding close attention.
Form & Character
The form emerges from a single throw of clay. Tall enough to cradle warmth, wide enough to feel generous in your palm. The carved foot anchors the piece, marking it as handmade and grounding its presence. Wabi sabi lives here. The asymmetrical slouch, the weight settled in the lower body, the way the rim invites without commanding. Stoneware has presence. Fired to high temperature, it rings slightly when tapped, dense and alive. The blue tide surface shifts subtly as light moves across it, creating quiet visual interest. Hold it, and it feels right. Set it on display, and it holds the room.
Made for the Table. Built for Display.
This cup lives at the intersection of ritual and everyday. Use it for matcha, for your morning tea, for simply holding warmth in both hands on a quiet morning. The slumped form feels intentional in your grip, not symmetrical but perfectly balanced for the way you actually hold a cup. And when you set it down, it earns its place. Your guests will notice it on display. The carved foot, the subtle asymmetry, the weight and colour all speak to handcrafted care. This is the kind of piece that becomes part of your room's character, one that you reach for, that you return to, that feels like a small anchor in a busy day.
Handcrafted in Oxfordshire
Every piece that leaves the Brooker Ceramics studio in Oxfordshire is thrown by hand, shaped by intention. The maker starts with stoneware clay, centres it, pulls the form upward, then deliberately slumps the vessel to create that signature asymmetry. The carved foot is cut by hand, a final mark of authorship. Each cup is fired in an electric kiln at high temperature, transforming clay into something permanent. No two pieces are exactly alike. Variations in the slump, subtle shifts in colour density, unique surface qualities. These are not flaws. They are proof of the hand that made it, the moment of creation captured in ceramic form.
Quality & Care
This piece is made to last. Stoneware is exceptionally durable and chip resistant, withstanding daily use. The surface is fully food-safe and waterproof, suitable for tea, water, or whatever you choose to fill it with. It is dishwasher safe, though hand-washing will preserve the subtle beauty of the surface over years of use. Because this is handmade functional ware, treat it with the same care you would give any loved object. It will age gracefully, developing a patina of use that only deepens its character.
About Brooker Ceramics
Brooker Ceramics is a working studio in Oxfordshire where functional ware and sculptural ceramics are thrown and fired with intention. The maker shares their practice openly, with a YouTube community of over 25,000 people who follow the work, from raw clay to finished piece. Every cup, vase, and sculptural form that leaves the studio reflects a philosophy simple but rigorous: make things worth using and worth looking at. Nothing is mass-produced. Nothing is compromised. The studio celebrates the imperfections of handcraft as proof of authenticity.
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!