River Stone — Ceramic Incense Tray & Stick Holder

A shallow ceramic tray with a small glazed stone that holds the stick upright. Two pieces, nothing to assemble.

The stone is shaped like something picked up from a riverbed — rounded, slightly off-centre, no two quite the same. It sits anywhere on the tray: near one edge for a long stick, in the middle for a short one. The tray is 14.3 cm across, so the ash drops onto it rather than onto the table.

One stick at a time. The hole is 3 mm, which takes most sticks — thin Japanese ones, standard, and thicker hand-rolled or masala.

Two finishes in one set. The tray is unglazed bisque: matte, slightly chalky, with the faint specks and mould lines that come with an unglazed surface. The stone is glazed, so it wipes clean where the ash gathers around the stick.

Size. Tray 14.3 × 12 cm, 1.3 cm tall (5.6 × 4.7 × 0.5 in). Stone 3.4 cm across, 1.7 cm tall (1.3 × 0.7 in).

Living with unglazed clay. The tray is porous and will take on marks as you use it — ash, oil from a fingertip, a ring from a damp cup. Wipe it with a dry cloth rather than soaking it. If you would rather it stayed white, the glazed stone sits just as well on a plate you already own.

Before you light it. Set it on a heat-safe surface, away from anything that can catch. Never leave burning incense unattended.

Will my incense sticks fit?
The hole is 3 mm, which takes most sticks — thin Japanese ones, standard, and thicker hand-rolled or masala. Anything over 3 mm won't fit, so it's worth measuring yours first.

Why does the tray look speckled?
It is unglazed bisque: fired clay with no glaze over it. Small specks, faint mould lines and slight unevenness are how that surface comes out of the kiln, not flaws.

Will the tray stain?
Yes, in time. Unglazed clay is porous and takes on marks from ash, oil from a fingertip, or a damp cup. Most people come to like it. If you would rather it stayed white, the glazed stone works just as well on a plate you already own.

Does it come with incense?
No. The set is the tray and the stone, so you can use it with the sticks you already burn.

How do I clean it?
Tip the ash off once it has cooled and wipe the tray with a dry cloth. Don't soak it — unglazed clay absorbs water. The glazed stone can be rinsed.

Free standard shipping on orders over $39; $5.90 below that.
We inspect and pack by hand (about 3 business days), then delivery takes 10–15 business days to the US, Canada and Australia, and 8–10 business days to Japan and Southeast Asia. Duties and import taxes are already included.

Remote areas may not be serviceable or may require more time than the estimated delivery window. Thank you for your understanding. If your address is classified as a remote area by the shipping carrier, you will receive an email before shipment. You can follow the instructions in that email to change your order address or request a refund.

Each ceramic piece may have small natural variations from hand-glazing — part of the character of kiln-fired tea ware.