A common question I often receive from Teapot enthusiasts is: can the speed at which a teapot dries after being watered determine the quality of the Clay used? In fact, there is no direct correlation between how quickly a teapot dries and the quality of its clay. Nor should the speed at which water dries be used to distinguish whether a teapot is made of genuine purple clay. Below are several examples to illustrate this:
The speed at which the water dries is directly related to the following factors:
1. The surface finish (mingzhen) of the teapot: If the surface finish is well-executed, the water will dry faster; otherwise, it will take longer.
2. The fineness of the clay (mesh size): A higher mesh size (finer sand particles) means that the body of the teapot is more compact, so the water will naturally dry faster. Conversely, it will take longer.
3. The shape of the teapot: Certain shapes, like the Beauty of West Lake, Dragon Egg, or Siting teapots, do not tend to retain water on their surfaces due to their smooth contours, so they dry quickly. On the other hand, shapes like the Antique, Flat Lotus Cover, or Hollowed Flat teapots have smoother transitions and may accumulate water on the lid or have slower-flowing water on the body, thus Drying more slowly.
4. The temperature of the water used to water the teapot affects the rate of drying. The temperature of the water, the surface area of the teapot, and the patina all influence the evaporation of water. After the teapot has developed a patina, its surface becomes glossy, and water slides off quickly when watered.
5. Other influencing factors include: room temperature, wind direction, wind speed, the size of the teapot, the amount of water used, etc. These are secondary factors under normal conditions and will not be detailed here. If you would like to discuss further, feel free to leave us a message on WeChat.
In conclusion, the speed at which water dries on a teapot does not serve as a standard for measuring or judging the quality of the clay used in the teapot itself.