In the realm of purple clay Teapots, we can categorize them into three types: plain-naked teapots, scholar-engraved teapots, and imperial teapots.
The first category includes round, square, and ribbed teapots, which have a plain and naked body without any embellishments. They rely solely on the lines and shapes to convey their aura.
▲Wall-Raised Teapot Made by Jingzhou
Designed and crafted based on the concept of jade walls, this teapot is flat and cylindrical in shape, with a gentle yet firm appearance that is harmonious and well-proportioned. The handle's rhythm of solidity and void is coordinated, and the overall shape is dignified and correct.
The simplest points, lines, and surfaces are used to express the natural charm of plain purple clay teapots.
▲Monk's Hat Teapot Made by Jingzhou
The teapot features richly varied lines and appropriate proportions, especially with the tightening cloud-shoulder line at the neck and shoulder, enhancing the teapot's rhythm. The lotus petals' proportion and opening angle give an impression of blooming lotuses.
The size and thickness of the spout and handle are well-proportioned with the overall shape, while the cover's layers are neatly raised, perfectly supporting the Flower-shaped knob, making it appear dignified and restrained, finely crafted.
▲Precious Rhombic Teapot Made by Jingzhou
This piece is also a ribbed teapot made by Master Gu Jingzhou, where the intricate ribs showcase superb craftsmanship. This work's characteristic in line design is symmetry and division. When viewed from above, the lid shape resembles an ancient copper mirror with rhombic body, equally divided, and the lid surface is also rhombic, adding layers to the lid.
The rhombic lines on the body echo those on the lid, and the body and base are connected through lines, making each line short but not fragmented, numerous but not complicated, showing meticulous handling.
▲Bundled Three Friends Teapot Made by Jiang Rong
This teapot was created by Master Jiang Rong, and as mentioned in the previous article, it is one of the most difficult styles to make among flower-shaped teapots. The body is composed of bundled pine, bamboo, and plum trunks, with carefully detailed carvings and a natural arrangement, revealing order amidst complexity.
Scholar-engraved purple clay teapots are characterized by Qing-era Man Sheng teapots and Yucheng Kiln teapots. These are often designed by scholars who inscribe poems and paintings on the teapot bodies, imbuing them with a strong scholarly atmosphere.
▲Man Sheng Flat Rock Teapot
This teapot has a purple clay body, with finely refined clay that produces a delicate texture and deep color. Its surface is glazed with a lustrous finish. It is shaped like a flattened drum, with a flat lid and bridge-shaped knob, a concealed foot, and the bottom is stamped with the square seal script “Zhongyu Xianguan.” The seal inscription is clear, exuding a metallic and stone aesthetic; there is also a “Pengnian” maker's mark below the handle.
A thirteen-character inscription is carved on the abdomen: “Strike the pot and drum, wash away the dust, newly brewed Jianxi Tea before the rain,” which is a specially inscribed text based on the “flattened drum” shape.
▲Man Sheng Hat-Shadow Teapot
Inscription: “The hat shade protects from heat, tea quenches thirst, these two are one, my Buddha does not speak.”
▲Man Sheng Well-Railing Teapot
Inscription: “Heavenly Tea Star, guards Eastern Well, observing it is auspicious, to obtain fine tea. Written and inscribed by Man Sheng in the summer of Gengzi.”
The Heavenly Tea Star governs sweet dew, while Eastern Well refers to the star name Dongjing, which is in charge of water. It symbolizes obtaining excellent water for brewing good tea.
▲Half Melon Teapot from Yucheng Kiln, Collected by Taiwan's Hongxi Art Museum
▲Chess Box Teapot from Yucheng Kiln
This Yucheng Kiln Purple Clay Teapot is shaped like a chess box. Due to its low firing temperature, it exhibits a fine and dense texture, giving it high recognizability. The mold-carved Zhou dynasty Li “Jing Jiang Li” text is recorded in volume seven of “Jigu Zhai Zhongding Yi Qi Kuan Shi,” with elegant and beautiful characters, possessing great value for appreciation.
Imperial purple clay teapots were favored by the emperors Kangxi and Qianlong, who often adorned their teapots with enamel painting, lacquer coating, gilding, and clay painting, creating a sense of luxury and grandeur.
Note: During the Yongzheng period, naked teapots were more favored, so works from this era are classified in the first category.
▲Kangxi Enamel Five-Colored Floral Purple Clay Teapot
▲Kangxi Yixing Enamel Handle Teapot
▲Kangxi Yixing Enamel Handle Teapot
▲Kangxi Yixing Enamel Handle Teapot
▲Green Ground Gilded Melon-Shaped Teapot, Qing Qianlong Period
▲Green Ground Gilded Melon-Shaped Teapot, Qing Qianlong Period
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