Korean Wood-Fired Sanggam Inlaid Bird Teapot

Meet the Korean Wood-Fired Sanggam Inlaid Bird Teapot handcrafted and fired in a traditional wood-firing kiln by Kimo An of Tousanyo in Gimhae, Korea.

This hand-formed teapot is wood-fired, its warm, mottled surface shaped by the movement of flame and ash within the kiln. Soft tones of ochre, cream, and earthen brown gather across the vessel, creating subtle variations that make each firing unique.

On the front and back, a bird motif is rendered using the traditional Korean sanggam inlay technique, in which a design is carved into the clay and filled with contrasting slip. The pale inlaid bird stands quietly against the naturally varied surface, bringing a graphic yet gentle presence to the piece.

The teapot’s elongated spout, rounded handle, and softly irregular body retain the directness of the maker’s hand. Hand-pierced straining holes at the base of the spout allow tea to pour while keeping the leaves within the pot, a thoughtful functional detail that also reveals the direct touch of the maker.

Together with the unpredictable markings of the wood firing and the carefully inlaid bird, these details give the vessel a character that feels both functional and distinctly sculptural.

A contemporary expression of Korean ceramic traditions, bringing together sanggam inlay, wood firing, and hand-shaped form in an intimate everyday vessel.

The potter’s mark is hand-carved on the underside.

Dimensions:  W 4.25" (including the handle & spout) x L 2.5" x  H 3.25"; cc

About Kimo An of Tousanyo: Based in Gimhae, South Korea, ceramist An has been handcrafting distinctive ceramic ware for decades, using traditional wood-firing methods in his studio named Tousanyo.

Handcrafted in Korea.