Fish Turning into Dragon Zisha teapot by Jiang Yaping, exquisite craftsmanship, unique design.

2025-10-15 Zisha Teapot Guide Categroy：351-450cc Views：93

$385.71The Zisha teapot, priced at 2700 CNY, is a masterpiece created by National Senior Artisan Jiang Yaping. This teapot, named "Fish Turning into Dragon," is

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This Yixing purple clay teapot exemplifies the pinnacle of Chinese traditional craftsmanship. Created by national-level senior craft artist Jiang Yaping using precious raw mineral dark green clay, this 440-milliliter teapot features a unique rhomboid 14-hole filter structure that ensures smooth pouring while effectively filtering tea residue.

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Named "Fish Transforming into Dragon" after ancient Chinese mythology, the teapot's body mimics turbulent ocean waves with intricate carved patterns. The most remarkable feature is the movable dragon head on the lid - when tilting the teapot, the dragon head automatically extends with a delicate tongue protruding from its mouth, then retracts when returned to horizontal position, creating magical mechanical movement that combines practicality with playfulness.

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Detailed observation reveals distinct scenes on either side: the right side shows a majestic dragon emerging from waves, holding a glowing pearl in its jaws, while the left depicts a carp leaping through water with shimmering scales. All carvings are meticulously hand-engraved, with each dragon scale and water ripple demonstrating exceptional artistry.

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The handle's fish-scale texture provides secure grip, while the dragon-inspired spout curves upward for elegant pouring. Fourteen precisely arranged drainage holes ensure steady flow without dripping.

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Crafting this zisha teapot involves dozens of complex processes: selecting refined clay, repeated kneading to remove air bubbles, hand-sculpting the form, engraving patterns at semi-dry stage, and separately creating the spring-loaded dragon head mechanism. Final firing at 1160 degrees Celsius reveals the clay's unique dark green metallic luster.

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Beyond functionality, this purple clay teapot carries cultural symbolism - the dragon represents power while the leaping carp symbolizes the transformation of fate through effort. The "Fish to Dragon" motif makes it ideal as collectible or meaningful gift. When brewing tea, mineral interactions gradually enhance the teapot's surface luster over time.

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For maintenance, dedicate this Yixing teapot to single tea variety as its porous structure absorbs aromas. Clean only with water to preserve natural breathability, and ensure thorough drying to prevent mold.

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This "Fish Transforming into Dragon" masterpiece blends artistic vision with technical precision. From the tactile mineral clay texture to the ingenious moving mechanism, every detail showcases traditional craftsmanship. More than a teaware item, it's a heritage-quality artifact that embodies the enduring charm of Chinese artistic traditions.