Dao Ba Xi Shi (倒把西施) — Late Factory One Series
These elegant Dao Ba Xi Shi teapots were produced during the late 1980s to very early 1990s at Yixing Factory One, a period still celebrated for its refined craftsmanship before mass production became more industrialized in the mid-to-late 1990s.
"Dao Ba Xi Shi" (Inverted Handle Xi Shi) is a variation of the classic Xi Shi form, featuring a lowered rear handle that creates a calmer visual balance and an exceptionally comfortable grip during pouring. Compared to the standard Xi Shi shape, the lowered center of gravity gives the teapot a steadier, more grounded presence in hand, making it especially enjoyable for daily gongfu brewing.
All pieces in this series carry the soft, rounded proportions characteristic of earlier Factory One works, with smooth and harmonious transitions between body, spout, lid, and handle. They are available in several classic Factory One clays from the same era:
Minguo Lüni (民國綠泥) — A rare and sought-after clay blend with a subtle greenish-grey to beige tone that deepens beautifully with use. Known for its fine, smooth texture and gentle heat retention, it pairs wonderfully with lighter teas such as green tea, lightly oxidized oolongs, and white tea, preserving their delicate aromatics.
Hongni (紅土 / Red Clay) — Dense and fine-grained with a warm reddish-orange hue. Hongni is prized for its high heat retention and its ability to amplify aroma and sharpen the high notes of a tea, making it a favorite for high-fragrance oolongs such as Tieguanyin, Dancong, and gaoshan teas.
Heini (黑泥 / Black Clay) — A distinctive Factory One clay with a deep charcoal to ink-black tone that develops a subtle, understated luster over time. Heini pots from this era are increasingly hard to find, and their quiet, dignified appearance makes them stand out on the tea table. The clay rounds out a tea's texture and softens harsh edges, pairing especially well with puerh, aged teas, and roasted oolongs.
Compact, highly usable, and quietly elegant, these teapots are beautiful examples of the refined practicality that made late Factory One works so beloved among tea drinkers in Taiwan and Hong Kong during the export era.
Each pot is individually photographed and inspected. If you would like more detailed photos of a specific clay or pot — including the lid fit, interior, and base — please feel free to contact us.
