Masterpiece Yixing Zisha Teapot: Mingyuan's Squirrel Persimmon Design & Rare Antique Craftsmanship

2025-10-15 Zisha Teapot Guide Categroy：201-350cc Views：91

A rare 280ml Yixing Zisha teapot, mirroring Chen Mingyuan's famed squirrel-persimmon design, celebrated for its antique artistry and Xiling Auction legacy.

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The Yixing teapot is a treasure among traditional Chinese handicrafts. Crafted from special clay, this teapot preserves the original flavor of tea leaves during brewing, making it beloved by tea enthusiasts. The featured Yixing zisha teapot carries a unique name - "Mingyuan Zishi Squirrel Persimmon Teapot" - serving not only as functional ware but also as a storytelling sculpture.

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This purple clay teapot uses aged zisha clay stored for decades. Long-term aging refines the clay's texture. With a 280-milliliter capacity, it's perfect for sharing tea among friends. The substantial weight and warm luster when held reveal characteristics of premium zisha material.

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The original design came from Qing Dynasty master Chen Mingyuan. In 2019, a similar antique Chinese zisha teapot sold for over 20 million yuan at Xiling Auction, setting a record. After three centuries, few such teapots remain, each becoming precious cultural relics.

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The design showcases ingenious creativity. The main body mimics a ripe persimmon's plump form, topped with a lifelike squirrel. Astonishing details include visible individual hairs, paws resting on the calyx, and a curled tail suggesting imminent movement. The artisan perfectly captured the creature's vitality in fired clay.

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Creating such a handmade Yixing teapot demands extraordinary skill. Artisans must master both sculpture and teapot-making techniques. The spout and handle must integrate seamlessly with decorations while maintaining water-pouring functionality. The precision-matching calyx-patterned lid and body decorations remain difficult to replicate even with modern technology.

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Each element carries symbolic meaning: persimmons represent "everything going smoothly," while squirrels symbolize agility. When steam rises from the spout, the creature appears to guard the tea aroma. This fusion of utility and artistry demonstrates traditional Chinese craftsmanship wisdom.

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Brewing tea in this zisha teapot enhances the experience. The aged clay's dual-porosity structure absorbs tea aromas, improving flavor over time. Its carefully designed shape ensures smooth water flow and clean pouring. The 280ml capacity maintains heat while allowing convenient serving.

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Proper maintenance preserves Yixing purple clay teapots. Rinse with water after use to prevent tea stains. Avoid chemical cleaners and store ventilated when unused. Quality teapots develop a patina over time, their surfaces gaining warmer luster - an important quality indicator.

This Squirrel Persimmon Teapot holds multiple values: as dailyware accompanying tea rituals, as art with enduring aesthetic appeal, and as collectibles with appreciation potential. This multifunctional charm explains why Chinese Yixing teapots have endured centuries.

In modern life, handmade zisha teapots maintain vitality. Beyond tea tables, they serve as cultural bridges connecting past and present. Fingers tracing the 300-year-old squirrel design seem to touch ancient artisans' warmth, making each tea-pouring moment a meaningful cross-temporal dialogue.