Soul Ketlele ya Tee by Peng Sun is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Dibakewere, Disebediswa tsa Tafole, Dinoelo le Disebediswa tsa Pheho Competition Category.

BoronseDisebediswa tsa Kitjhine· 2026

Soul Ketlele ya Tee

by Peng Sun

Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award Winner in Disebediswa tsa Kitjhine Category

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Colors

The Design

About Soul Ketlele ya Tee

Soul ke ketlele ya tee ya tshepe e tshetsweng (cast iron) e etseditsweng ho bedisa metsi le ho duba tee hodima mefuta e mengata ya mehlodi ya mocheso. Sebopeho sa yona se bululetswe ke boemo bo phutholohileng ba setshwantsho sa mopheti wa dipale ya letjhaka wa mehleng ya borena ba Eastern Han, se hahilweng botjha ka bonono ba mehleng ena. Soul e tshetswe ka matsoho ka mokgwa wa setso wa Machaena wa lost wax, mme e kopanya dibopeho tsa trapezoid le tsa selikalikwe. Bokantle ba yona bo na le mekgabiso ya matheba a lebese, mme ho apeswa ka gauda ka hare le ka ntle ho ntlafatsa hanyetso ya ho jewa ke mafome. Sesosa sa lehlakoreng sa lehong la rosewood se fokotsa phetiso ya mocheso, mme molomo o sekametseng o fana ka tshelo e hlwekileng.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award

Soul Ketlele ya Tee ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. Soul Ketlele ya Tee e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. Soul Ketlele ya Tee e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Lingpo is an iron tea kettle hand cast using the traditional Chinese lostwax method. Its shape is inspired by the relaxed poise of the Han dynasty drumming storyteller, reimagined through contemporary art. The surface is decorated with milk spot patterns and finished with gold plating. It embraces an open design philosophy, accepting all viewer interpretations and presenting a unique dialogue between contemporary and classical aesthetics.
Dimensions & Packaging: 183 mm x 91 mm x 88 mm
Tags: Lost Wax Casting, Cast Iron Potware, Tea Brewing, Water Boiling, Contemporary Art Piece, Gold Plating For Rust Prevention
Production Technology: Hand cast via lost wax, integrating trapezoidal and circular design languages. The process includes hand drawn modelling, wax model making, casting, grinding and finishing, high temperature oxidation, and both internal/external gold plating. The result is a structurally complex, agile form with exquisite texture, combining utility and artistic value, showcasing the unique spirit of handmade iron kettles and contemporary sensibility.
Design Challenge: The greatest design challenge was the seamless integration of the body, spout, lid, and side handle lines, meeting contemporary artistic aesthetics while sparking infinite imagination, balancing beauty with smooth pouring and ease of use. The most difficult aspect lies in the traditional lost wax casting process, highly intricate and demanding. Coordinating high temperature nitriding with gold plating adds further complexity.
Research: For a long time, iron kettles were constrained by traditional aesthetics and functional demands, mostly adopting stable forms like flat round or square. Lingpo, rooted in the lost wax method, integrates contemporary art concepts to shatter these structural limits and reshape possibilities. The internal and external gold plating not only enhances corrosion resistance but also softens the water and improves mouthfeel.
Inspiration: The morphology of Lingpo, or Spiritual Form, derives from the famous Eastern Han Dynasty drumming storyteller figurine.Its relaxed posture has been artistically reconstructed, evoking multiple images, Chaplin, a gentleman, Pinocchio, without imposing a single interpretation. Instead, it invites viewers to project their own experiences. This open design concept endows the object with stronger visual intrigue and imaginative space.
Project Duration: The project commenced in Beijing in March 2025, with the initial design finalized in April 2025. The final piece was produced in October 2025 and exhibited at the Songzhuang Grand Canal Art Season in Beijing later that month.
Operation Flow: Lingpo can be used for boiling water and brewing tea, compatible with multiple heat sources. The side rosewood handle offers excellent heat insulation and follows the natural inward rotation of the wrist when pouring. The spout and lid feature consistently angled, inward cut geometry. Water flows smoothly along the spout, minimizing dripping, with a clean cut off. The inner rim of the lid is extended so that even when the kettle is fully tilted, the lid remains securely in place.
Team Members: Peng Sun
Image Credits: Peng Sun