Zisha Teapot
In the early years of the Republic of China, the city of Yixing, known for its bamboo groves and Kiln smoke, welcomed an ordinary day. However, in Dingshu Town, the Ceramics Apprentice School was bustling with excitement. The owners of Utilization Company, major kiln households, and prominent figures in Dingshu Town were all agitated. It turned out that a walnut-shaped teapot, created as a graduation piece at the Ceramics Apprentice School, had been made exceptionally well, drawing much attention. The walnut-shaped teapot was a specialty of renowned teacher Fan Dasheng, who had recently won a gold medal at the Panama Exposition. This particular teapot was even better than the one that had won the gold medal. Although it belonged to the same type, it was not a mere copy but instead possessed more charm and grandeur. The creator of this graduation piece was Feng Guilin, who was just a teenager at the time.
As the saying goes, “A myriad of shapes emerge effortlessly from his hands, unmatched by any other.” Feng Guilin's zisha Teapots vary in form—some are plump, others slender; some tall, others short; some square, others round; some intricate, others simple. They often undergo changes and continuous innovation. He has fully integrated his artistic sensibilities into zisha Pottery. Feng Guilin's zisha teapots are not only functional but also have significant artistic and aesthetic value.
Makers of zisha teapots typically leave their name seals on the bottom, lid, or handle of the teapot. Often, we see only the words “Guilin” on the lid of Feng Guilin's zisha teapots, while the bottom bears a golden tripod or another design. Since Feng Guilin gained some fame, many pottery shops vied to invite him to make teapots. Typically, the bottom of the teapots he made would bear the shop's trademark, while the word “Guilin” would be discreetly placed inside the lid.