Teaware

Zisha teapots can be works of art, but they are also practical tools. The water flow from a teapot directly affects its quality. Therefore, the type of spout hole becomes one of the considerations for some when selecting a teapot. The types of spout holes in zisha teapots have generally been divided into three categories throughout history. Single Hole The single hole first appeared during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is commonly found in antique shapes and smaller capacity teapots. The single hole provides the largest outlet for water flow, resulting in a powerful pour. Single Hole However, if handled roughly during use, tea leaves can easily enter the spout hole, causing blockages and disrupting the water flow. In earlier years, most teapot-making tools were made of bamboo, and spout holes were difficult to handle, often being created as single holes due to the high difficulty of their production. As a result, older teapots typically feature single holes, which are now relatively rare. Gauze Hole The gauze hole is one of the most common types today, with varying numbers of holes (seven, nine, fourteen, etc.). Because of the multiple holes, it filters out most tea leaves, ensuring a smooth…

  The story of Shanghai’s famous teapot collector and purple clay artisan, Xu Sihai, and his decades-long obsession with teapot collection is a popular topic. His first foray into collecting purple clay teapots dates back to the 1970s. Once, at a flea market, he spotted an old purple clay teapot. It was a large, antique-style pot made of purple clay, with a shiny, smooth surface, indicating it had some age. On one side of the pot were two lines of poetry: "When guests visit on a cold night, tea serves as wine; the bamboo stove boils water as the fire turns red." On the other side was an engraving of an elderly man leisurely reading and brewing tea under a tree. Upon flipping the pot over and examining the seal on the bottom, it appeared to be a fine piece from the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty. Xu Sihai asked the vendor how much it cost. The vendor quoted a price of 500 yuan. This amount was quite staggering at the time, as a worker's monthly salary was only around forty to fifty yuan. Xu Sihai searched all his pockets and could only muster up a little more than…

   Tea basket is a type of container. Lu Guimeng of the Tang Dynasty wrote a poem titled “Tea Basket,” which includes the lines, “The golden knife splits the emerald bamboo, woven like slanted waves.” From this, we can infer that a tea basket was a bamboo-made tea utensil with a slanted weave pattern. The term “tea cottage” mostly refers to the small thatched hut where tea people lived. In his poem “Tea Cottage,” Pi Rixiu of the Tang Dynasty wrote, "Perched on the sunny cliffs, this humble abode is alive and vibrant for days. Red water is drawn from the shed, and firewood and bracken are roasted before the hearth. After the old man grinds the tea, the middle-aged woman takes a break from pounding tea. Facing each other as they close the wooden gate, the fragrance fills the mountains under the moon." The poem depicts the arduous process of tea-making by the dwellers of the tea cottage, including roasting, grinding (crushing), boiling, and pounding tea. In ancient times, people used a charcoal stove to boil tea. Since the Tang Dynasty, the stove used for boiling tea was commonly referred to as a “tea stove.” According to the biography…

Teapots made to look old with shoe polish What is making a new teapot look old? Making a new teapot look old refers to the process of treating a new Yixing clay teapot so that it appears as an old one, which can then be sold at the price of an "old teapot." No matter what method is used to make a new teapot look old, it can usually be identified with careful examination. In the Yixing clay teapot industry, teapots made before 1949 are generally considered old, while those made after 1949 are called new. Making a new teapot look old is similar to doing the same with porcelain or jade, capitalizing on the Chinese preference for antiquity and ancient objects. Teapots made to look old with shoe polish In terms of texture, most new teapots do indeed lack the translucency of older ones. Old teapots tend to appear fine, smooth, and gentle, whereas new ones are rough and dry. The reason for this is that the quartz molecules and iron elements in the clay undergo changes during repeated exposure to hot and cold water. Additionally, the frequent handling by the owner during tea drinking gradually makes the surface…

1. Old pots are always better than new ones. This statement is incorrect. Firstly, old pots from the Ming and Qing dynasties, if not made by famous artists, are inferior to modern purple clay works in terms of both clay quality and craftsmanship. This is because the techniques for mining, refining clay, and the tools used for making pots were not as advanced at that time. Secondly, so-called 'First Factory' or 'Cultural Revolution' era pots, which were made using gas kilns, do not have particularly distinctive clays. Many of these clays are still available today. 2. Purple clay pots are unsuitable for brewing green tea; glass cups are definitely better. This is also incorrect. One of the reasons why purple clay pots are considered the best tea utensils is their versatility. The claim that they cannot be used for green tea is based on the idea that they would oversteep the tea. However, purple clay pots made from dun clay with good breathability, wide openings, and fast pouring shapes are very suitable for brewing green tea. For those who prefer to watch the tea leaves unfurl, a glass cup can be used, but it is certainly possible to brew green…

Tea art is all about elegance and beauty, from large-scale elements like tea mat arrangements and tea room decor to finer details like the gestures used while brewing tea. In our daily lives, when we brew tea using a purple clay teapot, we tend to do so in whatever way feels most comfortable. However, if we can make the act of brewing tea more artistic, it adds an extra touch of joy to life. The correct way to hold your teapot not only protects your precious purple clay teapot but also prevents the lid from falling off when pouring tea. It also adds a sense of elegance and grace, ensuring that when you serve a cup of tea to guests, they feel respected. Depending on the type of handle, there are roughly several ways to hold your teapot: Ear Handle Teapot The ear handle is the most common type of handle, resembling a small ear attached to the side of the teapot. How to Hold: Circle the handle with your index and middle fingers while pressing the lid knob with your thumb. Alternatively, grip the handle firmly between your thumb and middle finger, pressing the lid knob with your index…

When we generally categorize the capacity of a purple clay pot, there are typically five classifications: pots of 100cc or less are considered extra small; those over 100cc but under 200cc are called small; those from 200cc to 350cc are referred to as medium. Pots from 350cc to 600cc are classified as large, and those over 600cc are considered extra large. For one person, a small pot around 100cc or a pot around 200cc would be suitable, depending on your tea consumption. The sizes of teacups used with purple clay pots generally come in three categories: small mouth cups (about 30CC), medium mouth cups (around 50CC), and large mouth cups (approximately 90CC). The so-called golden capacity for pots is usually around 200cc to 300cc, which is ideal for two to three people to enjoy tea, as it provides just enough tea without cooling down too much. A medium-sized pot with a capacity between 200cc to 300cc suits the tea-drinking needs of most people and is also appropriate for an individual's enjoyment, hence being referred to as the "golden capacity." However, this standard is not fixed. When selecting a pot, in addition to considering the "golden capacity," other factors should be…

Purple clay teapot has the "Five Treasures," and you will like it more and more! What are the "Five Treasures" of purple clay? In the practice of brewing tea, people have summarized the superiority of the purple clay teapot, which can be summed up in five major advantages: 1. Preservation of color, aroma, and flavor The high iron content in purple clay, after being fired at around 1200°C, causes the molecules to rearrange into a scale-like structure, forming numerous open and closed dual pores. This unique highly dense porous physical structure has strong adsorptive power. Due to the dual porosity, the teapot is breathable but not permeable, so when brewing tea, the color does not change, the aroma does not dissipate, and the flavor is not delayed. 2. Quick recovery of vitality Although tea brewed in a purple clay teapot can remain fresh overnight without turning sour or developing an odd smell even if left for a long time, if the teapot is not used for a while and stored improperly, it may develop an off-flavor. Simply rinse the teapot several times with alternating hot and cold water, and the teapot's vitality can be restored, allowing the true taste of…

    This is truly an era that breeds "cute masters," even teapots are getting in on the act! After seeing these various adorable forms of teapots, you guys have to hold it together! ▎Piano Teapot When using this "piano teapot" for brewing tea, don't get so lost in playing the piano that you neglect the aroma of the tea! Elegant teaware and European-style lamps, but what's even more captivating is this graceful piano. Accompanied by music, sipping afternoon tea, how delightful! ▎Dining Table Teapot Tasty desserts and an adorable dining table, you shouldn't actually sit down to have breakfast! This is a teapot! Does tea brewed with a dining table teapot taste even better? ▎Toilet Teapot Would you dare to drink tea brewed in a toilet? Of course, because it's a toilet-shaped teapot. This teapot is very creative, and many people wonder what the tea tastes like. ▎Balcony Teapot On the balcony in the afternoon, basking in the spring breeze, smelling the flowers, and sipping afternoon tea—how nice! With this balcony teapot, you can achieve this! Because the afternoon tea it brews is full of artistic flair. ▎Warm Bed Teapot Cute little bears, a luxurious warm bed, how comfortable. But upon…

Purple clay teapots are the pride of Chinese tea culture, and they remain a shining gem in the annals of Chinese tea culture. Yixing purple clay teapots are a marvel within the splendid tapestry of Chinese tea culture. They are not only a brilliant outcome of the development of Chinese material civilization but also a comprehensive crystallization of the progress of Chinese culture. Their creation and prosperity were both a natural evolution of tea culture history and a significant impetus for enhancing the form, quality, and appeal of tea art. The artistic transformation in the making of purple clay teapots has not only expanded the intellectual connotations of tea culture but also enriched its spiritual domain. Chinese tea culture itself advocates a simple and noble attitude towards life, but during the Tang and Song dynasties, the elaborate tea-drinking rituals overshadowed the spiritual essence, leaving behind only rigid formalities. Drinking tea was more about performing rituals, and savoring tea became an act of merely playing with it. The popularity of purple clay teapots eliminated these complex tea-drinking procedures, allowing individuals to brew and drink tea on their own. In this simple and unadorned manner of drinking, scholars could fully engage their…

Most Jianshui purple clay artifacts, in essence, are the result of combining “form” with “shape.” Only by achieving as perfect a union of “form” and “shape” as possible can artisans create outstanding Jianshui purple clay works.The two homophonic Chinese characters have different meanings. “Form” refers to the shape of the artifact; it is fixed and static, and can be more broadly understood as tradition. When we speak of a certain form now, we refer to a shape that has been established over the course of history. Only when made in that particular way can it be called that specific form. “Shape,” on the other hand, is changeable and dynamic, with each artifact having a unique shape. Relatively speaking, Jianshui purple clay artifacts offer more expressive space in terms of “shape.” Artifacts of the same form can have one-of-a-kind “shapes” in their decoration, carrying distinct meanings. Negative engraving and positive filling, along with literati painting and calligraphy, make the “shape” of Jianshui purple clay artifacts infinitely variable. The Chinese ink and wash art displayed represents the emotional expression and individuality of the artist. The unique decorative technique of negative engraving and positive filling permanently embeds literati painting and calligraphy into the…

Purple clay teapots are unique in that neither the inside nor the outside is glazed, allowing the lid and body to be fired together. This ensures that the finished product has a tight, smooth lid that keeps out dust and retains heat. The main forms of lids include the press-on lid, the inset lid, and the cut-off lid. (1) Press-On Lid (also called “Complete Lid”): This type of lid sits on top of the mouth of the pot. Its edge can either be square or round, complementing the mouth of the pot. A flat piece of clay placed over the mouth is called a “seat,” while a bent piece is referred to as a “false piece.” The piece of clay forming the mouth is known as a “clump,” and the clay ring around the pot’s wall is called the “child mouth.” These parts and their transitions are connected using clay, making them blend seamlessly and appear as if they were made as one. Regardless of whether the pot is square or round, the rim of the lid and the rim of the mouth echo each other vertically and horizontally. The lid sitting on top of the mouth is also known…

Zhuni teapots, mostly small in size, are adorable and thus widely loved by teapot enthusiasts. However, due to the relatively low reserves of zhuni, high-quality zhuni is rather rare and precious, making it a common target for clay counterfeiting. Genuine Zhuni West Lake Lady Teapot So how can one buy authentic, genuine zhuni? Please read on. The classification of genuine zhuni generally divides it into three types: Huanglong Mountain Zhuni, Small Coal Mine Zhuni, and Zhaozhuang Zhuni. 1. Huanglong Mountain Zhuni is a thin layer of oily clay found between the top yellow stone and purple clay deposits. After firing, it appears unpolished and lusterless, with an orange-red color. 2. The Small Coal Mine area is abundant in zhuni production, with the largest output. When fired, its color is bright and vivid. 3. Zhaozhuang is famous for producing red clay. Zhaozhuang Zhuni is the fatty clay found between rotten yellow stone and red clay deposits, which is also scarce. After firing, its color is dark red. Genuine vs. Fake Zhuni Genuine zhuni comes in only one form: Zhuni raw stone is weathered and then sieved through a screen of a certain mesh size, water is added, and it is mixed…

Hello fellow teapot enthusiasts, have you ever come across this practice where some people, especially when nourishing their teapots at night, like to leave tea leaves and concentrated infusion inside, thinking that this will speed up the patina formation process, making teapot nourishment more efficient and convenient, while also being effective. Is this approach really correct? Can tea leaves and tea water be left in a purple clay teapot overnight? The answer is no. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight, once cooled, has no effect. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight for extended periods, particularly during hot summer days, can easily lead to the growth of harmful substances within the teapot. Purple clay teapots are prone to accumulating dark tea stains over time, which become very difficult to clean and may look rather unpleasant, diminishing one’s desire to drink tea. When nourishing a teapot, the hot tea infusion penetrates the pores as steam evaporates, bringing out tea oils onto the surface of the pot. Repeated wiping with a tea cloth forms a patina. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight, once cooled, has no effect. Leaving tea leaves and…

Tea ware is a part of daily life, combining practical functionality with artistic creativity. Among its features, patterns are one of the most prominent aspects, reflecting both the wisdom of artists and the aesthetic tastes of the Chinese people. Ten specific patterns frequently appear on tea ware. Infant Play Scene The infant play scene depicts playful moments with children as the main subjects, often showing their recreational activities. This makes the tea ware lively and full of charm. Fisherfolk Joy Scene The Fisherfolk Joy Scene was widely depicted on Kangxi porcelain, representing the industrious labor and bountiful harvest of fisherfolk. When painted on tea ware, it carries the auspicious meaning of wishing for good weather and prosperity. Ladies Scene In China, ladies scenes are quite common. Under the skillful brushwork of artists, graceful and elegant women are vividly portrayed on tea ware. Enjoying the beauty of these figures while sipping tea is a reflection of the refined tastes of ancient times. Crane Pattern The use of crane patterns on tea ware dates back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, graceful and elegant red-crowned cranes were commonly depicted. The crane pattern is favored by literati for its…

The Song Dynasty was an era of cultural rationalism, advocating a philosophy of aesthetics that favored naturalness, restraint, simplicity, and plainness. People pursued elegance and simplicity in ceramic shapes, shunned excessive decoration, preferred the tranquil and elegant colors of glazes, and valued the aesthetic principle of natural spontaneity. The Jian zhan features an elegant shape, a rustic body, and a lustrous glaze like stars, perfectly embodying the Song Dynasty's aesthetic of unity between heaven and humanity. 1. Characteristics of the Flaring Mouth Jian Zhan The Jian zhan is characterized by its graceful and elegant shapes. The most representative form is the flaring mouth zhan, which has an outwardly sloping rim, a constricted mouth, a slightly curved belly, an inward tapering at the base, and a shallow foot ring. About 1 to 1.5 cm below the rim, there is a shallow concave groove that runs around the inside, giving the overall shape a "V"-shaped line. We know that when two inclined lines are arranged in this way, they create a sense of mutual repulsion and tension, giving the viewer an impression of spaciousness and openness. Moreover, this "V"-shaped line creates a strong contrast in volume, with a large volume at the…

Tea utensils are generally used for drinking tea, but few people think creatively about them. However, in real life, there are people who can come up with these creative ideas. One: Usage of the Tea Strainer The tea strainer is placed on the teapot's mouth when adding tea, guiding it into the pot and preventing tea leaves from falling outside the pot. Two: Usage of the Tea Scoop The tea scoop is used to transfer tea into the teapot and is typically made of bamboo. Three: Usage of the Tea Tongs Also known as 'tea chopsticks,' the tea tongs serve the same function as a tea spoon, allowing you to remove tea residue from the pot. They are also often used to hold teacups while washing them, which is both heat-resistant and hygienic. Four: Usage of the Tea Needle The tea needle is used to clear the inner mesh (beehive) of the teapot to ensure smooth water flow. Five: Usage of the Tea Presentation Dish The tea presentation dish serves a similar function to the tea scoop and tea strainer, being a tool for placing tea. However, it also has an aesthetic function for appreciating the tea. Its main use…

There are two types of teapot enthusiasts: those who love duanni, and those who do not. For those who dislike it, a moment's inattention can result in the pot looking grubby and even blackened in places. This instantly sours their appreciation, leaving them to rue their decision to purchase a duanni teapot.However, once a duanni teapot has been nurtured, its transformation is remarkable and exceptionally beautiful, evoking a deep sense of affection. This aesthetic pleasure and sense of achievement are likely only fully appreciated by those who adore duanni. As such, many teapot aficionados have a love-hate relationship with it.Duanni is essentially a coexisting deposit of green and purple clays. In the local dialect of Yixing, "duan" sounds like "tuan," hence why duanni is also called tuanni. Its light color means that improper care can lead to noticeable stains, which polarizes opinions—those who love it, love it deeply, while those who don't feel entirely indifferent.In "Seeing or Not Seeing" by Cangyang Jiacuo, he writes, "You see, or you do not see me; I am there, neither sad nor joyful." Similarly, duanni remains unchanged regardless of whether one likes it or not, unaffected by external preferences or personal emotions. The beauty…

It is the continuous transformation during daily use that attracts so many enthusiasts of Zisha teapots. This ongoing change is what we call "nourishing the pot."Many pot lovers are puzzled during this process. A good pot may show changes after only ten uses, but some enthusiasts have had no patina develop even after a year of use. What could be the reason for this? Below, we mainly discuss several factors that determine the effect of nourishing a pot:The quality of Zisha clay itselfThe quality of clay on the market varies greatly. Some chemical clays simply do not nourish and remain unchanged after one or two years. On the other hand, high-quality clay makes the pot very delicate; some can even feel the changes immediately when exposed to boiling water.A Zisha teapot's clay is fundamental; even with excellent craftsmanship, without good clay, it would be like building a castle in the air, unable to withstand scrutiny.We often refer to Zisha clay as "original mountain, original mine," which refers to Huanglong Mountain. Compared to clay from other areas such as Changxing and Anhui, original mine Zisha clay from Huanglong Mountain is easier to nourish. Original Mountain ClayMost original mountain clays are flaky…

Everything can be polished, especially purple clay teapots, but how you do it is key! Thinking back to my early years as an apprentice, I made a Shiliang teapot and left it on my master's tea table to "nourish." I was very excited and wanted to nurture a teapot that was exclusively mine. Being young and impetuous, I was a little impatient and wished to achieve the same luster as my master's teapot immediately. In the dead of winter, coming into the studio early in the morning, there was no better pleasure than brewing a pot of tea. After pouring out the tea, I would take a full sip and, while the teapot was still warm, quickly cup it in both hands and rub it vigorously, using it like a hot water bottle. It was a wonderful warming tool in the winter. At the time, I didn't care if my hands were clean or oily. If they were oily, all the better; rubbing the oil onto the teapot made it look particularly beautiful and shiny. I even rubbed my face against the teapot to accelerate the patina, spreading the oil all over its surface and continuously caressing it with my…

Often when watching others brew tea, you'll see them first scald the pot with hot water before adding the tea leaves. There's a term for this action in the trade known as “warming the pot.” Scalding the tea utensils with boiling water not only ensures hygiene but also serves a practical purpose. Warming the cups and pots is a habitual action that most people perform before brewing tea – even after cleaning the utensils, they are rinsed again with boiling water. Many believe that this ceremonial gesture disinfects the tea ware, making it more hygienic to drink from, and raises the temperature of the utensils, which improves the taste of the tea. However, few delve deeper into the underlying reasons. What other significant effects does warming the cups and pots have? I. Public Cleaning, Demonstrating Etiquette If we say that warming the cups and pots is for cleaning the tea ware, it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Tea is clean by nature, and thus requires a clean and hygienic environment and utensils. Before the tea ware is placed on the table, it should naturally be cleaned beforehand; why would one need to clean it again? The action of warming the…

The red clay teapot is known for its lustrous and graceful appearance, particularly in smaller sizes. It is regarded as an elegant lady from a distinguished family by collectors and is highly favored by enthusiasts. Red Clay Companion Chrysanthemum Teapot There are many different types of teapots on the market today, all claiming to be made of red clay. Some have very bright colors while others are more subdued, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake ones. What does a genuine "red clay" purple clay teapot look like? What is Red Clay? In Yixing's clay deposits, there is a type of ore called "tender clay," which is found in mountainous areas around Dingshu Town. The red clay ore is located at the lowest layer of this tender clay deposit. Raw Ochre Clay from Zhaozhuang and Firing Test Pieces Later, based on differences in the original layers and degree of weathering, the red clay was classified into ochre clay, small red clay, and large red robe clay, among others. Ochre clay is considered the finest of the red clays and has a higher iron content than other purple clay materials. False Red Clay Teapots 1. The teapot shown below…

“Mud door” is a term often heard by enthusiasts of purple clay teapots. What does it mean? Simply put, it's a term used to describe the density or tightness of the particle distribution in the clay body of a purple clay teapot after firing. Low density is referred to as loose mud door, while high density is called tight mud door. Specifically, it relates to the preparation of the clay, the use of a slicking tool, and the pot-making technique. When identifying whether a teapot is fully handmade or semi-handmade, checking if the tightness of the mud door is consistent inside and outside the pot is one of the key methods. In brief, a fully handmade teapot is formed by hand using a bamboo paddle, so the characteristic of the mud door on the body is tight on the outside (surface) and loose on the inside (interior). The particles on the outer surface are densely distributed and become even tighter after the application of a slicking tool. However, the inner wall has not been pressed hard by hand but rather lightly shaped, so the particle distribution in a fully handmade teapot is relatively loose, meaning the mud door appears loose.…

"Handmade" Purple Clay teapots can perhaps be understood as follows: apart from very low-quality "slipcast pots" (a method similar to metal casting), all Purple Clay teapots are handmade. It's more appropriate to say that the body of the teapot, lid, and knob are all handmade rather than simply stating "fully handmade teapot." The term "handmade teapot" now is either a popular catchphrase or one used by sellers to intentionally blur the lines for sales purposes. When delved into, "handmade teapot" generally refers to a Purple Clay teapot made without the use of molds. As Purple Clay teapots receive increasing attention across society, new concepts have emerged in the Purple Clay world. The classification and naming of clay materials already make people feel lost, and in recent years, the concept of "handmade teapots" has appeared. In the market, it is common to see descriptions such as "handcrafted" or "purely handcrafted" being used to justify the price of teapots. Such statements are so bold that even the old artisans who traditionally used molds to make Purple Clay teapots would feel ashamed. How should we understand "handmade teapots"? By its name, fully handmade means entirely crafted by hand. So, is a teapot made…