The Legend of Golden Dragon Blood Clay: Handcrafted Yixing Teapot for Fortune & Artistry

2025-10-20 Zisha Teapot Guide Categroy：under 200cc Views：1

$385.71Rare Golden Dragon Blood Clay teapot, handcrafted with 160cc capacity. High iron content, metallic-red finish, symbolic prosperity design. Priced at $2700.

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In Dingshu Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, China, lies a treasured area known as "Huanglong Mountain." This land holds the most crucial raw material for crafting purple clay teapots—zisha ore. In 2007, while constructing Zisha Road, construction teams discovered a rare ore layer at the third slope position, approximately 50 meters from Dashuitan Pond. Sandwiched between two massive rocks, this ore layer measured only 15 centimeters at its thickest point, with a total weight barely exceeding one ton.

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The newly discovered zisha ore exhibited a vivid blood-red hue. Veteran miners involved in the excavation remarked they had never encountered such colored ore during their decades working at Huanglong Mountain. Locals named this crimson mineral "Jinlong Blood Sand," legendarily claiming it to be the excavated blood vessels of dragons. Following Jiangnan traditions, "blood" symbolizes prosperity, and teapots made from this material are believed to bring good fortune and wealth when brewing tea.

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Laboratory tests revealed Jinlong Blood Sand contains 2.46% iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), nearly double the iron content of ordinary zisha clay, making it the highest iron-containing zisha material known. This elevated iron concentration enables magical transformations under varying kiln temperatures. At 1180°C, teapot surfaces develop a bright Chinese red with metallic luster.

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Artisans discovered Jinlong Blood Sand’s extreme processing challenges. The granular structure exhibits minimal viscosity—even when ground to fine powder (around 100 mesh), repeated pounding struggles to form shapes. Master Yang Peng, through fully handmade methods and countless adjustments, finally crafted a 160-milliliter Golden Toad Xishi Teapot.

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Despite difficulties, teapots fired with Jinlong Blood Sand offer unique advantages. Their breathability surpasses common Di Cao Qing clay, allowing tea leaves to fully aerate. Freshly fired surfaces appear ordinary, but daily use gradually develops a jade-like luster—a process collectors call "nurturing the teapot."

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This teapot’s design refines the classic Xishi shape. Its rounded body flows into a short, delicate spout. The lid’s golden toad decoration combines aesthetics with auspicious symbolism. The 160ml capacity suits various teas, ideal for 2-3 drinkers. Handmade interior walls reveal natural clay textures, irreplicable by machines.

When brewing tea, Jinlong Blood Sand teapots enhance smoothness through high breathability. Their iron-rich composition softens water quality over time. Post-brewing, tea substances gradually permeate the body, creating unique patina. This co-evolution between user and object epitomizes zisha teapots’ charm.

Authentic Jinlong Blood Sand teapots are now scarce. Original ore deposits were exhausted long ago, with only stored materials remaining. Master Yang Peng’s works use 2007-mined ore, fully handmade, each accompanied by material origin certificates. For collectors, these are both functional tools and invaluable zisha specimens.

Proper maintenance is crucial. Initial three-month nurturing with green tea develops subtle luster before switching tea types. Post-use thorough cleaning prevents residue buildup. Well-maintained teapots develop reddish-purple hues after two years, with surfaces smooth as infant skin.

These unique teapots exhibit fascinating changes: boiling water temporarily darkens their color, reverting when cooled. After six months, lid-body friction smoothens through natural oxidation. Such subtle evolutions earn them the title "living pottery."

For international enthusiasts, Jinlong Blood Sand works embody Chinese craftsmanship essence—from mining to shaping, firing to nurturing, each step concentrates artisan wisdom. Beyond tea tools, they become spiritual props carrying cultural memories as distinctive art pieces.