Factory-Era Yixing Teapot #40 Tall Tang-Po 90's Hong Ni 170ml

This is a red clay Tangpo-style (湯婆) teapot, ideal for beginner-level tea drinkers who are exploring the world of Yixing teaware. 

It features the classic bottom seal “荆溪惠孟臣製” (“Jingxi Hui Meng Chen Zhi”), a hallmark widely used from the early 1980s by the Yixing Factory No. 1, primarily for large-scale exports to Taiwan. Based on its form and clay characteristics, this teapot likely dates from the late 1990s and was among the export-grade teapots destined for the Taiwanese market.

Though the teapot has some minor imperfections—such as a small “burst sand (跳砂)” (tiny pit or burst on the lid due to different contraction rate between materials during firing) and a slight swelling on the body due to high-temperature kiln conditions—it remains perfectly functional. The swelling is especially common on Zu Ni and Hong Ni teapots due to their "muddy" nature and compositions.

In fact, teapots from this era are still valued for their older clay, which tends to produce more expressive brews compared to the mass-produced or chemically treated materials used today. That is why teapots from the last century are still actively collected and used despite their simpler craftsmanship.

Its slightly higher profile and rounded body are well-suited for aromatic teas or Taiwanese high mountain oolongs, allowing room for the leaves to fully expand while preserving fragrance and clarity in the brew.