Jian Shui Yunnan Teapot XiShi Thin 西施 (溥）

The pottery clay of Jian Shui is extracted from WuCai Mountain, which contains high iron levels, making the finished product very hard and strong. 

The surface is rich with the texture of metal, when struck, gives off a chime like golden stone.  Jian Shui Pottery uses calligraphy, painting, engraving, inlay in its craftsmanship. It combines practicality and ornamentation.

Jian Shui purple pottery is a raw clay material with low plasticity yet is required to fulfil a special technique called Yin Yang Engraving and to attain a certain thickness of the wall of the pot, hence the yield is low.

Jian Shui purple pottery has a finer texture and high iron content. The mud formed by many steps of filtering the slurry is rudimental for enabling the fine carving and unglazed polishing of the pottery.

It is an important feature that distinguishes Jian Shui purple pottery from other sand-containing potteries. The mesh number is 200-350, the shrinking rate is 18%, and the viscosity is good. 

The finished product is very hard, has good sealing, is breathable but impermeable. It can maintain constant temperature and humidity and has good storage function.

The history of Yunnan Jian Shui Pottery can be traced back to 3,500 years ago when the primitive pottery craftsmanship began in the late Neolithic period.

The art of ceramic pottery evolved tremendously during the Han dynasty and was perfected by the time it reaches Song Dynasty in the form of celadon.

In 1953, Jian Shui Pottery is listed as one of the four famous potteries in China. In 2008,

JianShui Purple Pottery was enlisted as the second tier of the Chinese intangible cultural heritage. In 2019, the city of Jian Shui was awarded the title, “The Hub of Chinese Purple Pottery”.