Master Xu Nan’s Dragon-Head Yixing Clay Teapot: Artisan Craftsmanship & Collectible Treasure

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

$1285.71Master Xu Nan's 90cc Dragon-Head Zisha teapot, using珍藏级clay, embodies decades of ceramic artistry and functional elegance. A pinnacle of Yixing craftsmanship.

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The Yixing zisha teapot stands as one of the representative traditional handicrafts of China. It serves not only as a daily tea-brewing utensil but also as an artistic vessel carrying cultural heritage. The teapot we introduce today, crafted by Jiangsu Province Ceramic Art Master Xu Nan, is hailed as the supreme masterpiece "Dragon Head Bagua".

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This purple clay teapot utilizes exceptionally precious Dicaoqing clay, considered the highest quality material in zisha clay varieties, renowned for its warm hue and superior breathability. Master Xu Nan employed aged clay stockpiled by his family for decades, undergoing repeated screening and aging processes. Teapots made from this material gradually develop jade-like luster through prolonged tea infusion.

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With a 90ml capacity, this Yixing teapot embodies delicate compactness. Its rotund body features engraved Bagua (Eight Trigrams) patterns, while the spout designed as a dragon head showcases distinct whisker carvings and eyes brought to life through specialized engraving techniques. The ergonomic handle arc ensures secure grip, and the precision-fit lid prevents leakage during pouring.

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Master Xu Nan has dedicated over forty years to zisha art creation. As both a virtuoso teapot maker and vice president of Jiangsu Ceramic Committee, his distinctive legacy lies in mentoring outstanding disciples, notably carving expert Chen Honglin. During apprenticeship, Xu imparted not only sculpting skills but also philosophies of expressing Eastern wisdom through teapot creation.

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This "Dragon Head Bagua" zisha teapot epitomizes Xu's artistic philosophy. The Bagua symbols represent natural cosmic order, while the dragon motif signifies auspiciousness. Using traditional slab-forming techniques, the master shaped clay sheets with wooden tools, refining each detail through dozens of adjustments. The 1.5mm joint between body and spout ensures both smooth water flow and structural integrity.

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Brewing tea with this handmade Yixing teapot enhances beverage quality. Its unique dual-porosity structure absorbs tea aroma and develops patina over time. Regular use transforms the body color from maroon to deep brown, forming natural glaze. Maintenance simply requires water rinsing, avoiding chemical detergents.

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For collectors, this Chinese zisha teapot holds triple value: craftsmanship from provincial-level mastery, cultural fusion of Yijing philosophy with dragon motifs, and practical excellence for brewing high-temperature teas like oolong and pu'er. Master Xu's works command international acclaim, with this compact masterpiece condensing decades of expertise. Each piece undergoes 18 production stages with under 30% success rate, requiring precise 1180℃ kiln control.

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The charm of Yixing purple clay teapots lies in human-nature collaboration - artisans shape clay, fire grants hardness, while tea infusion animates its spirit. This vessel functions both as utilitarian object and tangible artwork. When hot water flows through it, one senses the awakening of eight centuries' worth of zisha artisans' wisdom in the rising tea fragrance.