Premium Yixing Zisha Teapot: Artisan Craftsmanship by Four-Time Award Winner He Qixian

2025-09-17 Zisha Teapot Guide Categroy：under 200cc Views：70

$685.71Authentic Yixing Zisha teapot by award-winning artisan He Qixian. Handmade with premium clay, designed for optimal tea brewing and durability. Limited availability.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 1

The Yixing purple clay teapot stands as a unique representative of traditional Chinese handicrafts. Its material originates from the distinctive purple clay found exclusively in Yixing, Jiangsu Province. This clay contains abundant minerals and forms a unique dual-porosity structure after high-temperature firing. This structure grants the teapot excellent breathability, maximizing the preservation of tea aroma during brewing.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 2

The Guoqiao Flat-Belly teapot represents a classic form among purple clay teapots. Its design draws inspiration from stone arch bridges in Jiangnan water towns. The body displays a flattened spherical shape with a broad stable base and smooth upward tapering lines. A distinct stepped structure at the lid-body junction gives rise to its "Guoqiao" (bridge-crossing) name. This feature combines aesthetic appeal with functional spill prevention during pouring.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 3

Master He Qixian, creator of this teapot, holds recognition as a top artisan in the field. Certified as a National Senior Craft Artist, she has consecutively won first prizes in four national handcrafting competitions. Four decades of experience have granted her profound understanding of clay properties. Each clay batch undergoes at least three months of natural aging under her supervision before reaching optimal plasticity. She maintains complete manual craftsmanship, utilizing over thirty specialized tools for a single teapot.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 4

The spout design of this Guoqiao Flat-Belly teapot demonstrates particular refinement. The short yet powerful triple-curved spout tilts slightly upward, creating an elegant water arc during pouring. The classic inverted-ear handle fits ergonomically against the user's thumb web. The surface reveals delicate pear-skin texture - natural grain formed through proper firing of premium clay. These microscopic particles enhance grip friction while preventing slippage.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 5

Using purple clay teapots offers multiple benefits. As the material absorbs tea essences, even plain water poured into a seasoned teapot carries subtle tea fragrance. The spacious belly of Guoqiao Flat-Belly teapots particularly suits brewing pu'er and dark teas requiring full leaf expansion. Calculated lid vent holes ensure smooth pouring without leaf blockage.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 6

Proper maintenance involves several key points. New teapots require tea-water boiling sterilization before initial use, and detergent must never be used for cleaning. Complete drying after each use is essential, preferably with alternating cotton cloths for wiping. Notably, these teapots should avoid direct sunlight and sudden temperature extremes.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 7

This Guoqiao Flat-Belly teapot transcends functional utility to become collectible art. The base bears Master He's authentic signature, confirming its handmade origin. Over time, the surface develops increasingly lustrous patina resembling jade polished by years. Many enthusiasts commission custom wooden boxes for both storage and protection of their cherished teapots.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 8

In this era of mechanized production, handmade purple clay teapots grow ever more precious. Creating such a teapot consumes weeks of an artisan's labor, with each step embodying traditional wisdom. Fingers tracing its refined textures detect the maker's manual warmth - crucial reason these teapots remain cherished for centuries. They represent not merely brewing tools, but inheritable living art spanning generations.

Yixing Clay Teapot | Handcrafted Zisha Pottery by National Master He Qixian 9