Earlier this year I finally went on the first road trip alone, post-pandemic and after my daughter's birth. My trip had long been in the making, visiting a very talented woodworker, sculptor, and tea-ware artisan, Vlastimil Hanuš (a.k.a. Vlasta) whose work I have long admired. I am using one of his carved tea trays in my daily tea practice. I was looking forward to meeting the man behind these beautiful pieces, and picking up a small batch of custom-ordered tea trays and scoops for this upcoming release (Decemeber 2022).

My destination was a small village in Southern Bohemia. After leaving the Danube basin behind me I steadily climbed the forested slopes of the Bohemian massif - the geological formation which comprises most of the Czech Republic. After crossing the German-Czech border I slowly navigated down thickly forested slopes occasionally passing through picturesque, sleepy villages. Surrounded by pristine forest for minutes at a time I felt at peace, and very content indeed that this place in the heart of Europe was the right place in search for artisan woodwork.

With time the landscape softened into rolling hills, the patches of forest became smaller and I arrived in the small city of “Budweis” (České Budějovice), home of one of the most famous beers in Europe. Another 45 minutes later, just before sunset, I finally arrived at Vlasta’s beautiful and peaceful place in “Czech Canada”, only a stone's throw away from the Czech-Austrian-boarder. I was greeted with a warm welcome and a freshly cooked meal - starting with a soup made from home-grown pumpkin.

Vlasta’s summer space

At the far end of Southern Bohemia in “Czech Canada”, Vlasta is living a humble life - at least his summers - focused around nature and wood working. Centred around an open space between 6 ancient oak trees - flanked by a wooden sauna, a huge tipi and an old barn - Vlasta created his personal summer space. Here he is spending time with friends and occasionally hosting small festivals, accompanied with music, tea and wine.

I spent a great evening with Vlasta and some of his friends. We enjoyed the crisp autumn evening air talking about tea, wood, and aesthetics, drinking tea, port, and cider. As soon as the temperature dropped Vlasta started to preheat the self-built Scandinavian wood sauna. I fondly remember the moment I was hit by the cold air after a long steamy sauna session. I stood there surrounded by nature, with only my heartbeat pulsating in my ears. I felt like I was healing from two years of city pandemic life. I am thankful that I had the chance to experience spiritual moments such as these as I get to know people from different walks of life.

Vlastimil Hanuš, short BIO:

studied at several universities, but wasn't happy there
took up carpentry and wood carving in Příbram 2017
professional wood sculptor and instrument maker, also gilding, carpentry
Creator of artisan tea ware since 2018
Currently living in Southern Bohemia and Prague, as well where ever his projects draw him to

“Wood is Not just A MATERIAL - EVERY TREE HaD BEEN ALive, A Living ORGANISM”

Wood is not a homogeneous material like metal, clay or plastic. It’s a material that once was a living, growing being. Depending on how and in which direction the tree was growing, the wood behaves differently. It is essential to know the direction and the undulations of the fibres, the way they behave around branches. In order to work successfully and achieve precise workmanship and clean strokes, a wood carver must take all this into account.

Mastery of craft, tools and material is absolutely essential. The art of carving rests on the carver’s skill. Only a high level of craftsmanship allows the carver or sculptor to manifest their idea in wood, using their hands and tools.

For Vlastimil wood is a co-author und should not be anonymous. He works mainly with local wood and often cuts and dries self-discovered trees himself. Being in contact with the material when it is still alive is absolutely essential for him.

In my personal tea practice wooden utensils are essential - they balance the weight and rigidity of ceramics and bring with them a natural, organic element to the tea table. Vlasta’s creations feel light and offer an elegant and organic canvas for what's happening in the teapot.

Using two overlaying patterns - the underlying grain of the wood, as well as the man-made groves of the carving strokes - Vlastimil, is creating fascinating dynamic pieces, which nevertheless always follow a minimalistic shape and form. Without relying on any obvious commonplace features attributed to wood - like root wood or excessive burls - these pieces radiate an organic yet modest aura, a perfect collaboration of man and nature.

All in all, I am really happy to present this small but diverse collection of tea trays and scoops. Owed to the individual grain and imperfections of the material, each piece is unique. I am already looking forward to future collaborations with Vlastimil and seeing what he will do in the future.