Masterpiece Xiao Ying Teapot: Jiang Yaping's Ancient Fire-Mark Firing & Li Wei's Carving Artistry

2025-07-16 Zisha Teapot Guide Categroy：201-350cc Views：22

$300.00Artisan-crafted Yixing teapot with ancient firing technique, 240cc capacity. Features Tiger Skin Golden Clay, flame textures, and Li Wei's engraved landscapes. Limited edition.

Yixing Zisha Teapot - Handcrafted Artisan Purple Clay Teapot 240cc 1

This Yixing Zisha Teapot, named "Laughing Cherry Blossom," was created by Jiang Yaping, a Chinese national senior craft artist. As a masterpiece in zisha teapot craftsmanship, it was meticulously crafted by a chief disciple of master Gu Shaopei. With a 240ml capacity, this handmade purple clay teapot adopts traditional manual shaping techniques, featuring a simple yet elegant design that balances practicality and artistic value.

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The most striking feature lies in its unique firing technique. The vessel uses raw tiger-skin golden sand clay and traditional "fire-mark firing" technology. This method involves placing the Chinese Yixing teapot in specially sealed containers for five consecutive days and nights, using natural gas for high-temperature firing. Since Yixing's Dingshu Town has fully transitioned to pipeline natural gas, this technique has become discontinued. The flames naturally flow in sealed chambers, creating unique rainbow-colored patterns of red, orange, yellow, and black on the surface - each yixing teapot's markings being entirely unrepeatable.

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Fire-mark formation requires precise environmental control. In oxidation-reduction atmospheres, flames follow specific paths to create "fire trails." When flames pass through suction holes, high-temperature airflow reacts chemically with zisha clay, leaving varying depth marks. Jiang Yaping spent five years studying kiln positioning and flame patterns to perfect this series. As artisans say: "A perfect fire mark deserves millennia of waiting," requiring ideal timing, conditions, and human expertise.

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The zisha teapot's design merits equal attention. Its classic "Laughing Cherry Blossom" silhouette features rounded contours, natural waist tapering, and stable circular foot. The triple-curved spout elegantly extends, balanced by a flying ring handle. The slightly domed lid with conical knob enhances visual elevation, blending traditional charm with modern aesthetics.

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Surface decorations were executed by Li Wei, Jiangsu Ceramic Art Master. The front depicts misty Jiangnan watercolor scenes with bridges and riverside houses, while the back bears calligraphic inscription "Unique Scenery Here." Professor Li, dean of Wuxi Institute of Arts & Technology, integrates traditional painting with contemporary concepts, enriching this handmade Yixing teapot's cultural depth.

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Functionally, this Chinese purple clay teapot excels with 14 diamond-shaped filter holes ensuring smooth pouring. The precision-fit lid and spout prevent leakage. High-fired tiger-skin clay develops natural air pores, creating breathable yet waterproof texture that enhances tea aroma over time.

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As collectible-grade artwork, every detail reflects artisan devotion. From material selection to decorative carving, it harmonizes traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The fire-mark patterns narrate millennium-old kiln stories, while hand-carved decorations inject artistic vitality. For tea culture enthusiasts, this serves both as functional ware and spiritual props worth treasuring.

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Proper maintenance requires dedicating the teapot to specific tea types, developing glossy patina through prolonged use. Clean only with water, avoiding detergents. Over time, fire marks will interact with tea-infused luster, creating increasingly captivating visual effects. This "Laughing Cherry Blossom" purple clay teapot set serves equally well as daily tea companion or family heirloom for generations.