How many of the top ten historical Yixing teapots do you have?

During the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, a young scholar named Gongchun sat beside Jinsha Temple, gazing at the gnarled galls of a ginkgo tree, when he suddenly realized that "nature itself is great beauty." Using bamboo strips as his brush and clay as his ink, he meticulously reproduced the textures of the tree's bark and the intricate veins of the galls onto the teapot's surface. Thus, he created the first Yixing teapot inspired by natural elements — the Gongchun Teapot. This teapot is unadorned, yet its surface is filled with "ancient wrinkles and swirling textures," resembling the rugged roots of an old tree, as if it were a work of art created by nature itself. As the ancestor of all Yixing teapots, it broke away from the traditional constraints of "square vessels" and "round vessels," elevating Yixing teapots from mere utilitarian objects to a new realm of artistic creation.

02 Fang Gu Teapot（仿古壶）: A flat belly concealing the universe, ancient charm passed through the ages
"The sound of the drum, though powerful, is always like a drum, and the belly of poetry and books reveres the wisdom of the ancients."（“无鼓声威常似鼓，诗书之腹仰前贤。”）

In the Qing Dynasty, Shao Daheng drew inspiration from the ancient bronze ritual vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, blending the scholarly elegance of literati with clay, and created the Antique-Style Teapot. Its form — "flat body, bulging belly, and tall neck" — evokes the powerful presence of an ancient stone drum. The "mother-and-child line" between the lid and the spout is perfectly fitted, resembling the tidy attire of scholars; the teapot's knob is flat and round like a seal, and the spout and handle are proportioned like a brush. The overall design balances roundness with strength, subtly hiding a world of grandeur within a modest exterior. This teapot has inspired generations, giving rise to the "Daheng Antique" with its ancient simplicity, the "Jingzhou Antique" with its grace, and the "Shouzheng Antique" with its solid durability. It has become the "model of elegance" on the tea tables of tea connoisseurs throughout history, just as the poem says: "Subtle and humble, diligently cultivating the art of harmony, delighting in the achievement of the master’s craftsmanship."

03 Shihpiao Teapot（石瓢壶）: A triangular form standing between heaven and earth, its simplicity reveals the true essence
"With baskets, teapots, and gourds, one seeks joy in the drink; the shape of Zhang Li is uniquely captivating."（“箪壶瓢饮求其乐，张力之形意趣奇。”）

The collaboration between Chen Mansheng and Yang Pengnian, the "scholar and artisan," created the legendary Shihpiao Teapot. The body of the teapot is like a trapezoidal rock, with the bottom edge slightly narrowed as if carved by a knife, while the shoulder line twists like a mountain ridge. The spout and handle are designed in an "inverted triangle," creating a perfect balance of strength and grace, full of tension. The bridge-shaped knob arches like a reclining rainbow, and the flat lid resembles a jade plate holding dew. The three feet, like the base of a tripod, firmly support the teapot, subtly embodying the scholarly elegance of the Analects, with its reference to "a basket of rice, a gourd of drink." This teapot embodies the beauty of "plain surface, plain heart," without glaze or color, relying solely on the natural clay color and lines to create its charm. As Mansheng inscribed: "Not fat but firm, thus it endures for eternity," reflecting the philosophical essence of Yixing teapots — "simplicity is timeless."

04 Duoqiu Teapot（掇球壶）: Three spheres stacking the universe, seamless and graceful, revealing the true essence
"Do not compare the gourd to the embroidered ball, for its tall neck, elegant body, and smooth roundness are unparalleled."（“休指葫芦比绣球，盖隆颈雅身圆溜。”）

Shao Daheng simplified the traditional lotus seed teapot by stacking three spheres of varying sizes, creating the Duoqiu Teapot. The body of the teapot is as round as a full moon, the lid is like a half-sphere covered in snow, and the knob is a pearl placed at the top. The three spheres stack harmoniously, without disorder, revealing elegance within the roundness, plump yet not bulky. During Cheng Shouzheng's time, the concept of "stacking spheres" was taken to its extreme — the proportions of the knob, lid, and body are precisely balanced, like "large and small beads falling onto a jade plate," creating a seamless visual and a tactile smoothness akin to jade. Though this teapot lacks elaborate decoration, its philosophy of "roundness" interprets the idea that "the grand way is the simplest," making it the pinnacle of Yixing "plain vessels."

05 Yuhualong Teapot(鱼化龙): Amidst the crashing waves, a leap that establishes the universe
"Each scale shimmers with the hope of transformation, and the roaring waves and fierce winds embody the warrior's spirit."（“凡鳞闪闪期羽化，大浪狂风壮士魂。”）

The Yuhualong Teapot by Shao Daheng is a perfect fusion of Yixing's "muscle-patterned" and "sculptural" styles. The body of the teapot is sculpted with muscle-like patterns that depict surging sea waves, with a carp swishing its tail and a dragon peeking its head through the waves. The dragon-shaped knob is retractable, resembling a "pearl-spitting" motion, while the fish tail transforms into the handle. The scales are rendered with lifelike detail, and the splashes of water seem to move. This teapot not only carries the auspicious meaning of the "carp leaping over the dragon gate" but also subtly embodies the philosophy of "the unity of heaven and humanity": the fish represents the mundane, and the dragon represents the extraordinary. The two transform amidst the crashing waves, much like how Yixing teapots evolve from mere clay into a work of art, symbolizing a rebirth.

06 Jinglan Teapot（井栏壶）: A well that holds clear spring water, a ladle that reveals the world
"With seams tightly joined and carefully guarded, true love and devotion are offered to the people."（“合缝严丝勤守护，真情大爱献黎元。”）

（Full Handmade JingLanTeapot）

Inspired by the water wells in the marketplace, where the protective yet weathered railings safeguard the sweet spring water, Mansheng designed the Jinglan Teapot based on the "well railing" concept. The body of the teapot resembles a cross-section of a well railing, with a wide and stable base, a short and straight neck, and a lid that gently slopes like a well platform. The tall column-shaped knob represents the wooden framework inside the well, while the spout and handle evoke the ropes used to draw water. In its simplicity, the craftsmanship is evident.

This teapot avoids intricate carvings but uses the interplay of "straight lines" and "curves" to outline the imagery of the "well nourishing all things." As the inscription reads: "The well is not deep, nor the jug too small, yet it serves to drink and is always cherished." It embodies not only the beauty of functionality but also a deep humanistic sentiment of "benefiting all beings." Over time, variations such as the high well railing and square well railing evolved, with "simplicity" as their core essence.

 

07 Dezhong Teapot（德钟壶）: The bell resonates with a pure sound, with a square form guarding the center of emptiness
"Straight and square, a great vessel guards the center of emptiness; plain and unadorned, it holds the essence of jade."（“直方大器守中虚，素面无华蕴玉琚。”）

（Full Handmade DeZhong Teapot）

Shao Daheng, inspired by the uprightness of ancient bells and the Confucian concept of "virtue" (德), created the Dezhong Teapot. The body of the teapot stands like a bronze bell, with the shoulder line gently sloping, embodying the upright nature of a gentleman. The belly of the teapot is slightly bulging, symbolizing humility and openness, like a mind that is broad and receptive. The spout and handle extend naturally, resembling arms in a graceful stretch, while the bridge-shaped knob stands straight like a pillar supporting the sky.

This teapot subtly aligns with the I Ching's principle: "Straight and square, a great vessel, without practice, there is nothing not beneficial." The teapot's design combines straight lines as its structure and curves as its form, blending strength and gentleness, with no decoration at all. Its beauty comes from the natural clay color and its dignified form. In his later years, Gu Jingzhou's version of the Dezhong further enhanced its "clear and firm character," with a long and slender body resembling a gentleman in the wind, while the spout's turning and angularity resemble the precise strokes of a calligraphy brush. The Dezhong thus became the epitome of "plain vessels" that carry the Dao through form, setting the standard for how art and philosophy intersect in Yixing teapots.

 

08 Qinquan Teapot（秦权壶）: Power and authority solidified in clay, with weight and balance guided by the heart
"The balance of a thousand years rests in the inch of the heart, and Mansheng’s skillful hands forge ceramic gold."（“权秤千年系寸心，曼生妙手铸陶金。”）

（Full Handmade QinQuan Teapot）

The Qinquan Teapot is inspired by the Qin Dynasty's weight stone, "quan," and incorporates the cultural essence of millennia of measurement into Yixing clay. With a short neck, round body, and flat bottom, the teapot resembles a weight stone, steady and grounded. The spout is shaped like a cone, projecting with strength as if making a "weighed decision." The handle is designed like the bar of a balance scale, while the knob at the top mirrors the weight's ring, giving the teapot a solid, grounded presence as if "holding power in the hand."

Mansheng further inscribed the teapot with a poem: "The boat carrying spring tea sails to the Peach Blossom Spring, where the scale is brought by those who live there," merging the mundane life of the marketplace with the refined taste of scholars. This teapot, though modest in size, embodies the concept of "balancing weight" with its practical function, while subtly conveying a philosophy of "fairness and integrity" in the way of life. In later generations, renowned artists like Wu Yungen and Zhu Kexin decorated their versions with patterns from bells and ritual vessels, or transformed the shape from square to round, breathing new life into this ancient form.

 

09 Mei Baochun (梅报春): The ice cliff blossoms with new buds, the iron bones forge the fragrant soul
"On a hundred-foot cliff, with a hundred feet of ice, defying the cold, even the snow cannot overwhelm."（“百丈悬崖百丈冰，斗寒哪怕雪欺凌。”）

（Full Handmade QinQuan Teapot）

In his later years, Zhu Kexin, inspired by the saying "The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from enduring the cold," created the Mei Baochun Teapot. The body of the teapot resembles the elegant branch of a plum tree, with the cracked bark sculpted into budding plum flowers — some in bud, some in full bloom, others standing firm in the snow. The spout and handle extend like plum branches, their curves revealing strong resilience. The knob is crafted like the tip of an old plum branch, with fresh buds just beginning to bloom, complementing the bas-relief on the body of the teapot, which depicts "cold plum blossoms against the snow."

This teapot breaks away from the traditional "flower ware" tendency to over-decorate, using "simple strokes" to shape the essence of the plum — the main trunk is firm like iron, the branches extend gracefully like a dance, and the flowers are lively, as if speaking. It embodies the ancient teaching of "following nature's way" while integrating modern minimalist aesthetics. The Mei Baochun Teapot has become a milestone in Yixing "flower ware," perfectly combining both form and spirit.

 

10 Tibi Teapot（提壁提梁）: The jade disc radiates clear brilliance, the handle spans both ancient and modern
"With a curved handle and high body, the jade-like texture exudes elegance, its spirit harmonious, both soft and strong."（“提曲梁高身玉润，一腔神韵柔而刚。”）

（Full Handmade TiBi Teapot）

Gu Jingzhou, in collaboration with Professor Gao Zhuang, worked for several years to create the Tibi Teapot. The teapot is named after the lid, which resembles an ancient jade disc. The body is flat and round, like a jade plate holding dew, while the handle arches like a rainbow bridge, flowing smoothly without losing strength. The lid and body fit perfectly together, while the bridge-shaped knob is flat and round, resembling the hole in the center of a jade disc. The spout and handle extend gracefully, like a jade pendant unfurling.

With his "hundred refinements" technique, Gu Jingzhou made the straight lines and curves perfectly complement one another, creating a harmonious balance between empty space and solid form. The teapot embodies a balance of "strength within softness, softness within strength," as inscribed in the text: "As perfect as a jade disc, as pure as jade itself." It combines the solemnity of bronze vessels with the warmth and elegance of jade art, making it a symbol of the Yixing teapot’s "modern classic" legacy.

These ten iconic teapots represent the "Ten Milestones" of Yixing art: Gongchun opens the realm of nature, Daheng establishes the foundation of plain vessels, Mansheng blends the scholar's taste, Kexin showcases the beauty of flower ware, and Jingzhou forges the soul of modernity. These teapots are not just vessels for brewing tea; they are frozen poetry, three-dimensional paintings, and touchable history.