White brothers Wamao 瓦猫 - Incense holder
Shipping
Orders to Europe & Americas: Shipped from European Union, Italy — delivered in 1–5 days (EU) or 5–12 days (non-EU).
Orders to Asia, Africa & Oceania: For the best service, please order from our dedicated website: www.easternleaves.asia
Your order will be shipped directly from our warehouse in Yunnan, China.
For European countries there is no custom-clearance procedure; for all the other shipments we accompany the package with all the necessary papers to ensure the fastest process possible.
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Europe
North America
Asia and Oceania
Check our new dedicated website: www.easternleaves.asia
Other countries
Important Note on Shipping to the USA
To ensure your shopping experience is as smooth and transparent as possible, we would like to inform you that, as this is an international shipment, U.S. customs authorities may apply import taxes or duties upon arrival of your package in the country.
Our store does not include these potential fees in the product price or checkout shipping costs, as they are charges applied directly by the U.S. government and vary based on your specific state and the order value.
To help you plan accordingly, we recommend checking with your local customs office for an estimate of any additional charges. We're here to help and can provide any information you need about the contents of your order.
Should you incur any import duties, we would be happy to include an additional 10% in product value with your next order as a courtesy and a thank-you for your understanding.
Processing & Shipping Schedule
We ship orders every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you have a specific request, simply add a note during checkout and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Shipping Carriers & Pickup Options
Orders to Italy: shipped via BRT. You can choose a BRT pickup point.
Orders to Europe & USA: shipped via DHL Express or UPS. You can select a UPS Access Point (Europe) or a DHL Service Point (USA).
Orders to Asia: shipped via EMS. For more details, see www.easternleaves.asia.
Eastern Leaves’s Guarantee
Your happiness is our priority. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we will happily honor a return or exchange.
Every item is expertly packaged to ensure it arrives safely and beautifully. In the rare event that an item is damaged during shipping, please contact us immediately at info@easternleaves.com and we will replace it free of charge.
Yunnan heritage
Wamao 瓦猫
Perching on top of the roofs of Yunnan, the Wǎmāo — or "Tile Cat" — is a captivating symbol of the artistic and spiritual heritage of the Bai people in the region of Dali. These expressive figures are much more than simple guardians: they represent a sophisticated inheritance of local folklore, born from the skilled hands of local ethnic minority pottery artists.
The conceptual roots are linked to the ancient local cult of the tiger, which was regarded as the supreme predator and devourer of demons. Cats are their descendants and affectionate domestic protectors.
The most striking feature of the Wamao is its wide-open, roaring mouth, a design choice rich with auspicious meaning. The powerful jaws that tigers used to devour demons, on the Dali cats sitting of rooftops serves as an auspicious "magnet" for prosperity: the open mouth is believed to catch passing good fortune and channel it directly into the home.
At the same time, the wide, bulging eyes, and bared teeth act as a protective charm, scaring negative spirits and ensuring the harmony of the household.
As they keep graced the skylines of traditional villages in Yunnan, these tiny charismatic creatures have found a new way to share their history. By moving from the rooftop to the tea table, the tiny Wamao keep the local heritage alive and become an intimate companion for daily rituals.
Dali Kingdom 大理国
Dali represents a unique cultural intersection where the high-plateau landscape meets a deeply rooted, distinct ethnic identity.
The Bai 白族 people are not merely a minority group: they are the historical architects of the region's power, having founded the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms during Tang and Song dynasties.
The name "Bai" literally means "White”, that is considered the most auspicious color. Representing high social status and moral purity, white is reflected in the local aesthetics, from clothing to ceramics.