An Introduction to Teapot Shapes Ⅱ

In the previous article, we introduced ten basic teapot shapes: Xi Shi Teapot, Shi Piao Teapot, Fang Gu Teapot, Jing Lan Teapot, Qin Quan Teapot, Long Dan Teapot, He Huan Teapot,Mei Ren Jian Teapot, Rong Tian Teapot, and Pear Shaped Teapot. In this article, we will continue to introduce more teapot shapes.

Duo Qiu Teapot – 掇球壶
Duo Qiu “掇球” Teapot is a typical geometric traditional round teapot. The finial, lid and body of teapot consist of three spheres of different sizes. The body of teapot is the large sphere and the lid is the small sphere. The small one is piled on the big one, from top to bottom, one links with another one, classic and beautiful.

Shui Ping Teapot – 水平壶
The name of Shui Ping “水平” teapot is related to the popularity of drinking gongfu tea in Chaoshan area of Guangdong province and Southern Fujian province. When drinking gongfu tea, first people will put enough tea into the small tea pot and then pour the boiling water with the appropriate temperature, close the lid, and then put the teapot in the tea bowl or serving tray, pouring the boiling water over the surface of the teapot to let the tea release its flavor. At the same time, the small teapot soaked in hot water, straight and stable, should not lean or fall. Thus, we call this teapot the “Shui Ping teapot.”

Tang Yu Teapot – 唐羽壶
Tang Yu Teapot, also known as a side-handle teapot, is a popular teapot style. The innovative concept came from the Yu Shang teapot in the Tang Dynasty’s palace. The Tang Yu teapot’s most noticeable feature is its handle, which is at a right angle to the teapot’s body. The lines are lovely and smooth, round and strong, which can effectively prevent hot hands when brewing.

De Zhong Teapot – 德钟壶
De Zhong teapot is one of the classic teapot types that has been passed down from generation to generation. Its shape is inspired by an ancient percussion instrument — “zhong”, so the teapot body is mostly cylindrical, giving a sense of dignity and stability.
Shao Daheng, a master of Zisha teapots during the Qing Dynasty, designed the De Zhong teapot. It is solemn and concise, highlighting the simple and elegant magnanimity of teapot, and it is mostly loved by tea lovers.

Pao Gua Teapot – 匏瓜壶
Pao Gua Teapot, or Hu Lu Teapot, or Calabash teapot is named after the shape of calabash. The shape is circular, the lines are smooth, and the design is simple, all of which represent the ancients’ agricultural spirit and pastoral style.

Yu Zhao Teapot – 鱼罩壶
Yu Zhao Teapot is a classic teapot type that resembles a bamboo fish cage and is sturdier because of its shape. Yu Zhao teapot has a flat shoulder, a high neck, a folded shoulder, an arch bridge knob, a flat lid that resembles a bell-like cap, a straight mouth, and a square column handle.

Han Wa Teapot – 汉瓦壶
The Han Wa teapot is named after the shape of the teapot button. Han Wa is Chinese roof tile during the Han Dynasty. The body is like the shape of water tank, and the wide rim of body is is convenient for pouring tea and cleaning the brewed tea leaves.

Niu Gai Teapot – 牛盖壶
The Niu Gai teapot incorporates the element of cattle into the body of the teapot in an excessive and symbolic manner. The teapot’s lid has two symmetrical oval holes that look like two cattle nostrils on cattle’s head.

Qie Duan Teapot – 茄段壶
Qie Duan Teapot or Eggplant Shaped Teapot is inspired by eggplant. Eggplant Shaped Teapot is round, simple and natural. Arc lid, eggplant (eggplant stem) like knob, the two-bend spout and ear-shaped handle are required to align with the teapot body’s center line. The teapot body has a smooth and natural line, and the entire body is glossy and moist.

Tang Po Teapot – 汤婆壶
Tang Po Teapot is inspired by “Tang Po Zi”, also called oval bed or foot warmer, made of copper, tin or porcelain, with screw cap. The body of teapot is full, and the wall is graceful. The entire teapot appears to be noble and simple.

More teapot shapes, to be continued…
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to read the following article:

An Introduction to Teapot Shapes Ⅰ
An Introduction to Teapot Shapes Ⅲ
A Brief Introduction to Four Famous Types of Potteries in China
How to Choose a Proper Yixing Teapot for a Single Type of Tea
Beware of teapot crack in winter