Handmade Lotus Yixing Zisha Teapot

This lotus teapot is exquisite in workmanship, with the lotus stem as the teapot knob; the whole body of the teapot is concave and convex, which perfectly reproduces the shape of the lotus, even the texture of the surface of plants is clearly visible. This biology-like teapot requires very fine workmanship and skilled craftsmanship; it also tests the patience of the maker. A finished teapot is hard-won, with very ornamental and collection value, and is suitable for gifting or personal use.

Material – Zi Ni (紫泥)

Zi Ni is a classic and widely recognized Zisha clay on the market, refined from Zisha ore dug out of the mine of Huanglong, Yixing. This clay has a stable, mature color, a high iron content, and good breathability and structure. Along with this, it barely contracts when fired and molds easily, marking it as a good choice for large crafts and also the first choice of clay for many Zisha makers. Teapots made out of Zi Ni can easily maintain a lustrous shine, and are generally preferred for brewing light-roasted oolong or pu-erh teas.

The Maker – Yuan Ting

Yuan Ting was born in the Zisha village of Yixing, and is skilled in the design and creation of Zisha teapots while using a style combining both modern reality and older tradition. As a result, her works are elegant and graceful, yet simultaneously simple. Using only top-quality materials in her works, she inherits and reinforces tradition while stepping forward with bold innovations in her own uniquely personal style.

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.