[Not suitable in dishwasher and microwave]
[Not suitable in dishwasher and microwave]
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This teapot was made at Yixing Zisha Factory No.1 in 1983, as indicated by the “癸亥年” inscription on the base alongside the seal of the artisan 謝順軍 (Xie Shunjun). It is crafted in the delicate Ban Ling (半菱壺) form, featuring gently faceted sides and a broad, stable belly that gives ample interior volume without being visually heavy.
The material is the distinctive “nian gao ni” (年糕土) or “rice‑cake clay,” a dense and dark type of Yixing red clay notable for its fine grain, smooth texture and slightly muted satin finish. The high density aids in thermal stability, making this pot well suited for teas that benefit from steady heat and a robust vessel. Over time, the clay will develop a soft patina, adding depth to the brewing experience.
On one side of the pot, there is a visible line where a lacquer repair was made using natural raw lacquer (shengqi) and finished with a thin layer of Bengara lacquer (弁本漆) to help visually blend the repair into the original clay tone. This restoration does not affect the pot’s brewing functionality. In fact, it makes the pot a rare combination of usability, aesthetics, and value, as it is priced more accessibly than a flawless collector’s piece.
Thanks to the generous body and good clay, this teapot is particularly appropriate for teas with substantial leaf expansion or richer profiles, such as aged oolongs, light roast Dancong, or mid‑aged Pu’er. The wide belly shape gives the leaves room to breathe and unfurl, while the material supports a refined yet full flavour extraction.
The piece stands out by virtue of its fine craftsmanship, dated base, the artisan’s seal, and the uncommon clay type, factors that make it both a practical brewer and a notable representation of its production period.
This teapot was made at Yixing Zisha Factory No.1 in 1983, as indicated by the “癸亥年” inscription on the base alongside the seal of the artisan 謝順軍 (Xie Shunjun). It is crafted in the delicate Ban Ling (半菱壺) form, featuring gently faceted sides and a broad, stable belly that gives ample interior volume without being visually heavy.
The material is the distinctive “nian gao ni” (年糕土) or “rice‑cake clay,” a dense and dark type of Yixing red clay notable for its fine grain, smooth texture and slightly muted satin finish. The high density aids in thermal stability, making this pot well suited for teas that benefit from steady heat and a robust vessel. Over time, the clay will develop a soft patina, adding depth to the brewing experience.
On one side of the pot, there is a visible line where a lacquer repair was made using natural raw lacquer (shengqi) and finished with a thin layer of Bengara lacquer (弁本漆) to help visually blend the repair into the original clay tone. This restoration does not affect the pot’s brewing functionality. In fact, it makes the pot a rare combination of usability, aesthetics, and value, as it is priced more accessibly than a flawless collector’s piece.
Thanks to the generous body and good clay, this teapot is particularly appropriate for teas with substantial leaf expansion or richer profiles, such as aged oolongs, light roast Dancong, or mid‑aged Pu’er. The wide belly shape gives the leaves room to breathe and unfurl, while the material supports a refined yet full flavour extraction.
The piece stands out by virtue of its fine craftsmanship, dated base, the artisan’s seal, and the uncommon clay type, factors that make it both a practical brewer and a notable representation of its production period.