Hand-made Heart Sutra Xi Shi Yixing Teapot

This style of teapot with its elegant shape and natural beauty takes its name (Xi Shi, 西施) from one of the four great mythological beauties of ancient China, and is a classic and first choice for Zisha teapots. A common Chinese saying proclaims that “in the eyes of a lover, Xi Shi appears”: this phrase can be taken to mean that, no matter a person’s actual appearance or how they may look to others, to someone who loves them they will be as beautiful as Xi Shi. From this, it is said that every lover of tea and Zisha teapots has a Xi Shi in their heart.

The Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra is hand-carved into the body of this teapot, delicately and carefully done as the words are so small.

If you like smaller Yixing Teapot, you can have a look of this Hand-made Heart Sutra Xi Shi Yixing Teapot 130ml

The teapot’s spout is exquisitely shaped, delicate and streamlined.

The handle is hand-rubbed and easy to hold.

Material - Di Cao Qing (底槽清)

Di Cao Qing was originally produced in Huanglong, Dingshan, Yixing, in Jiangsu Province, widely used by teapot makers early in history; now, however, it is extremely rare. The turquoise Ben Shan particles, known as “corn” or “cat’s eye”, are unevenly distributed in the original ore - when the clay is mixed and then fired, it becomes mild and exquisite, purple with golden speckles and with the surface taking on a ruddy and somewhat oily texture.

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.