ChaoZhou Zhuni Teapot - Xishi 西施
ChaoZhou Zhuni Teapot - Xishi 西施
The Xishi Teapot 西施壺 is named after Xi Shi, one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China, renowned for her graceful elegance and gentle charm. This teapot design reflects her legendary beauty through soft, rounded lines and a perfectly balanced form that exudes refinement and serenity.
The body of the teapot is spherical or slightly oval, symbolizing fullness and harmony, much like the timeless elegance of Xi Shi herself. The spout is often short and slightly curved, echoing delicate movements, while the handle is smooth and gracefully arched to complement the body’s gentle shape. The lid, simple yet refined, may feature a small knob that adds to the teapot’s balanced proportions.
More than just an object of beauty, the Xishi teapot is designed for functionality, its rounded shape allows tea leaves to unfurl freely, enhancing the infusion process. The spout is crafted for a smooth and controlled pour, and the ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip, making it ideal for daily tea rituals.
Artist: Wu Jianhui, is a Senior Ceramic Arts and Crafts Artist in Guangdong Province, born in 1974 in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, into a family of ceramic artisans (Deshengtang (德聲堂）Zhichenghao). Influenced by the art of teapot making, he dedicated himself to learning and creating hand-thrown teapots, drawing inspiration from various masters. He has inherited and promoted the excellent traditional techniques of Chaozhou hand-thrown teapots, while continuously developing, innovating, and integrating knowledge into practical use in his work. His creations have achieved notable artistic effects, with high aesthetic and collectible value, and are well-received by collectors both domestically and internationally. His works have won numerous awards in national and provincial competitions.
Notable works include the hand-thrown teapot Step by Step to Success, which won a silver award at the Guangdong provincial competition, and the hand-thrown teapot Si Ting, which won a gold award at the Shanghai Master Competition, among other accolades.
- Name: Xishi 西施
- Material: Zhuni
- Artist: Wu Jian Hui 吳建輝
- Capacity: 120 ml
- Thickness: 4
- Product Code: APX5918
- Ideal for Oolong and Dan Cong teas
Chaozhou Fengxi is the birthplace of hand-pulled vermilion clay teapots, and the craft of making these teapots has been passed down through generations in various workshops, each with its own clay recipe and handcrafting techniques that are closely guarded secrets.
The production process involves numerous steps, all done by skilled artisans based on their experience, including pulling, shaping, trimming, applying water, applying slip, and firing, among nearly sixty steps. The final products are known for their elegant shapes, clean lines, rich colors, and high smoothness.
The vermilion clay used to make these teapots, commonly known as "red clay," is a type of vermilion clay material, a natural mineral that does not contain toxic substances. It appears as yellowish soil but turns red after firing. It is highly malleable and sticky, making it easy to shape.
Teapots made from this clay are exceptionally sturdy, with a smooth surface that maintains a slight water-absorbing and permeable quality. The texture is fine and pliable, lacking grit, and offers a smooth touch. It has excellent heat retention, preserving the original tea flavor during steeping.
The beauty of Chaozhou vermilion clay teapots stands out within the Yixing purple clay teapot world with their unique character of being petite and elegant in the realm of appreciation for simplicity and antiquity.
Everything is due to the fact that vermilion clay works best with small pots. Experience tells us that "small teapots gather fragrance easily, while large teapots do not brew well," and vermilion clay teapots perfectly illustrate this point.
Vermilion clay teapots have a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, so when brewing tea, the first infusion of hot water should not be poured directly into the teapot's base to prevent cracking.
Instead, water should be poured along the lid, letting it flow down from the top, surrounding the teapot to gently warm it.
The second infusion can then be poured in using the same method, ensuring even heating. As you use the teapot over time, its color will become more vibrant, the touch smoother, and it will emit a glow resembling antique jade, which is known as the "teapot's seasoning."
The tea residue will release its aroma in proportion and is highly appreciated by tea enthusiasts.
We ship to North America through Canada Post & UPS regular parcel services. Regular shipping fees for an average size parcel 10"x 10" x10" weighing 1.5 lb is outlined below.
For local customers there is also a free convenient option for Pick up In Store - 227 East Georgia Street, Vancouver B.C. V6A 1Z6. Kindly wait for ready for pick up email before coming to the shop for pick up.
All orders will be packaged and ready to ship or pick up within 48 hours of ordering.
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DELIVER TO |
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ORDERS |
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up to 7 business days |
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VANCOUVER |
$6 |
$10 |
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BC |
$6 |
$10 |
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CANADA |
$15 |
$15 |
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4 to 9 days USA |
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US |
$19 |
$19 |
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ALASKA |
$29 |
$29 |
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HAWAII |
$29 |
$29 |
Orders outside of Canada may be assessed an additional duty fee upon import by the customs services of the destination country. Unfortunately, we have no control over these charges, and we cannot refund or reimburse import fees.
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