[Not suitable in dishwasher and microwave]
[Not suitable in dishwasher and microwave]
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Late-1980s “Shen Deng” Teapot – Hand-Engraved Base | Red Clay | 80ml
This finely crafted Yixing teapot, made of dense red clay from the late 1980s, takes on the elegant “Shen Deng” (神燈, or “magic lamp”) form, named after its softly rounded silhouette and slightly flattened lid, reminiscent of the oil lamps from old Chinese folklore.
Its compact 80ml capacity makes it perfect for solo or two-person gongfu tea sessions. The red clay used here is prized for its balance of breathability and heat retention, making it well-suited for oolong, black, or aged white teas, especially those that benefit from aroma-enhancing steeping and smooth texture development.
What sets this piece apart is its rare hand-engraved base inscription, which reads:
「一瓢之水多 孟臣」
“A ladle of water is more than enough – Mengchen.”This poetic phrase nods to the legendary Yixing potter Hui Mengchen, whose small-sized teapots in the Ming and Qing dynasties epitomized restraint, precision, and tea concentration. The quote reminds the user of the elegance in simplicity: one doesn’t need excess, only a single ladle of water and a fine teapot.
Unlike most factory teapots from this period that bear mold-stamped seals, this one features a carved inscription, a method reserved for more artisanal or commemorative releases. While hand-engraved bases are less common in the factory’s production line, they occasionally appear on small-batch or semi-private orders toward the late 1980s and early 1990s, especially on gift sets or pieces made for collectors.
Subtle in profile but full of meaning, this Shen Deng pot bridges everyday use with a quiet reverence for tea’s cultural heritage.
Late-1980s “Shen Deng” Teapot – Hand-Engraved Base | Red Clay | 80ml
This finely crafted Yixing teapot, made of dense red clay from the late 1980s, takes on the elegant “Shen Deng” (神燈, or “magic lamp”) form, named after its softly rounded silhouette and slightly flattened lid, reminiscent of the oil lamps from old Chinese folklore.
Its compact 80ml capacity makes it perfect for solo or two-person gongfu tea sessions. The red clay used here is prized for its balance of breathability and heat retention, making it well-suited for oolong, black, or aged white teas, especially those that benefit from aroma-enhancing steeping and smooth texture development.
What sets this piece apart is its rare hand-engraved base inscription, which reads:
「一瓢之水多 孟臣」
“A ladle of water is more than enough – Mengchen.”
This poetic phrase nods to the legendary Yixing potter Hui Mengchen, whose small-sized teapots in the Ming and Qing dynasties epitomized restraint, precision, and tea concentration. The quote reminds the user of the elegance in simplicity: one doesn’t need excess, only a single ladle of water and a fine teapot.
Unlike most factory teapots from this period that bear mold-stamped seals, this one features a carved inscription, a method reserved for more artisanal or commemorative releases. While hand-engraved bases are less common in the factory’s production line, they occasionally appear on small-batch or semi-private orders toward the late 1980s and early 1990s, especially on gift sets or pieces made for collectors.
Subtle in profile but full of meaning, this Shen Deng pot bridges everyday use with a quiet reverence for tea’s cultural heritage.