Yixing Factory Two Black Clay Xishi Teapot by Mei Fang, 1980s, 80ml
This Xishi (西施) teapot was produced by Yixing Factory Two during the 1980s and bears the maker’s seal “Mei Fang” (梅芳). Compared with the more rounded Xishi forms commonly seen from Factory One, this version has a noticeably lower and broader body, giving it a compact, grounded profile and a very practical brewing shape.
Factory Two was established during the expansion of Yixing’s state-run zisha industry in the early 1980s. Its production system broadly followed that of Factory One, but pieces from Factory Two developed their own range of forms, clays and individual makers. Because they generally command less of a collector premium than comparable Factory One wares today, good examples can offer particularly strong value as everyday brewing pots.
The pot is made from heini (黑泥), or black zisha clay, giving it a quiet dark-brown to near-black appearance. Its relatively broad and flattened chamber gives the leaves room to spread laterally rather than vertically, making the shape particularly pleasant for roasted oolongs, Wuyi yancha, and traditionally processed or aged oolong teas. These are teas where a slightly rounder, calmer presentation of the liquor can be especially enjoyable.
The workmanship is straightforward but pleasing: the body has a soft continuous curve, the short spout rises naturally from the shoulder, and the loop handle gives the pot a balanced silhouette. The underside carries the maker’s mark 梅芳, alongside the factory-era production character visible in the form and finishing.
Rather than being a pot that needs to sit on a collector’s shelf, this is the kind of vintage Yixing piece that invites regular use. It combines 1980s factory provenance, an attractive black clay body, a very functional Xishi form, and an approachable price point—making it an excellent choice for someone looking for a genuine older Yixing pot for daily tea.
Care Instructions
Not suitable for dishwashers or microwaves.
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