Handmade Han Bian Yixing Zisha Teapot

This handmade Han Bian teapot has a light and flat yet well-rounded body, with a larger than average mouth that makes it more convenient to place more leaves in. The lid fits perfectly into this mouth against the body, allowing for an excellent seal; meanwhile, the straight spout allows for the liquid to pour smoothly and quickly, and the simple handle is easy to grab and hold. The firm, smooth lines of the pot embellish the charm of its simplicity.

Material

Because it is made from zhuni, this teapot is a rich red color with a slightly orange hue, and a smooth, soft surface. The style of the teapot is simple and understated, yet at the same time quaint and elegant; the material has a distinctive double-pore surface with tiny corrugations, allowing the teapot to both breathe and to hold in the fragrances and tastes of tea brewed with it.

Note: make sure to “preheat” or warm the teapot before using it to brew, by pouring warm water into and over it before the water for your tea. Zhuni does not react well to quick changes in temperature.

The Maker - Sun Wen

Sun Wen is a young female potter born in Dingshu Village, Yixing in Jiangsu Province, an area famous for its pottery. Her parents are experienced craftsmen of the discipline, and served as inspiration for her interest in the art of Yixing purple clay from her childhood. She has always studied hard in order to improve and advance her own workmanship, eventually establishing a quaint, elegant style of her own, including words and pictures carved into the teapot to enhance its meaning.

Origin

Yixing County is known as the Pottery Capital of China for its extensive 6500-year history of the craft. The area boasts abundant resources of argil, tea, bamboo, and charcoal, each of which contributes an important base material for the making of pottery. Yixing Zisha products have earned countless prizes both at home in China as well as abroad, with a few exceptional works presented as national gifts during international diplomacy.