Wei Yuhang's Ming-Style Golden Duanni Teapot: Masterpiece of 16-Mesh Clay Artistry

2025-08-30 Zisha Teapot Guide Categroy：under 200cc Views：66

$257.14Wei Yuhang's Ming-inspired teapot in rare golden duanni clay offers exceptional pour control. Handmade with 16-mesh texture and traditional 7-hole filtration.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 1

This is a brand-new Yixing purple clay teapot named "He Piao", entirely handcrafted by experienced ceramic artist Wei Yuhang. The zisha teapot is made from rare 16-mesh golden duan clay sourced from old mining pits, with a capacity of approximately 140 milliliters and featuring a seven-hole filter design. This special clay gives the handmade Yixing teapot a unique matte texture, revealing natural granular patterns on its surface that create subtle tactile undulations.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 2

The purple clay teapot embodies the minimalist style of Ming Dynasty tea ware. Its rotund body curves like a water-filled gourd, radiating visual tension. The upward-curving spout combines playful aesthetics with functionality, producing a warm, smooth water stream that pours cleanly without splashing. Complementing the spout is an elevated ear-shaped handle with hanging ring details, ensuring comfortable grip while adding elegant charm to this Chinese Yixing zisha teapot.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 3

The golden duan clay used holds exceptional value. Mined from Huanglong Mountain's ancient deposits in Yixing, this natural composite material requires artisans to manually select clay blocks containing golden duan components from primitive strata. Through twenty processes including repeated sieving, crushing, and soaking, workers transform raw ore into workable clay. The coarse-grained structure makes this purple clay teapot particularly prone to cracking during shaping.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 4

Clay preparation poses the first major challenge. Craftsmen must precisely control moisture levels - excessive wetness causes collapse while dryness induces cracks. Master Wei employs traditional slab-forming techniques, patiently beating clay sheets into teapot walls with wooden tools. Maintaining consistent force throughout this process is crucial for achieving perfect symmetry in this handmade zisha teapot.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 5

The firing process presents another critical test. Golden duan clay undergoes special transformations in kilns requiring precise temperature control between 1180-1200°C. Underfiring results in fragile texture while overfiring causes deformation or blistering. After 12 hours of firing, the Yixing purple clay teapot naturally develops slightly raised granular textures characteristic of 16-mesh coarse clay.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 6

Every detail demonstrates thoughtful design. The seven-hole filter discreetly integrated at the spout base effectively strains tea leaves without impeding flow. The lid employs traditional inlay technology for smooth operation and airtight sealing. A craftsman's seal engraved on the base certifies this as an authentic handmade Yixing teapot.

Yixing Zisha Teapot | Handcrafted Golden Duanni Clay Pot | Artisan Wei 7

Using this zisha teapot enhances tea brewing through golden duan clay's excellent breathability, allowing full leaf expansion and gradual aroma release. With prolonged use, the surface develops a warm patina, evolving from pale gold to deep amber hues. Simple rinsing suffices for cleaning, avoiding detergents that might damage the purple clay teapot's natural properties.

For collectors, this Chinese Yixing zisha teapot holds special significance. The original golden duan clay source has become increasingly scarce, and few artisans truly master its complex processing. Master Wei Yuhang's two-decade dedication preserves traditional craftsmanship while incorporating modern aesthetics, making this "He Piao" a representative masterpiece.

Proper maintenance ensures longevity. New teapots require three-day tea immersion to absorb fragrance. Avoid exposure to grease or chemicals, and dedicate specific teapots for different tea varieties. Clean gently with soft cloths, never abrasive tools. With careful preservation, this Yixing purple clay teapot can accompany tea enthusiasts for decades, becoming a living cultural artifact that transmits Chinese tea traditions.