Good tea demands a good teapot. When it comes to purple clay teapots, everyone is familiar with them. However, the diverse array of purple clay teapots in the market may leave you unsure about how to choose one or where to start learning about them. This lack of knowledge might discourage you from making a choice. Don’t let the opportunity slip away!
In this article, I’ll guide you through an introduction to purple clay teapots and provide insights into the essential knowledge for selecting the perfect one!
Classification of Purple Clay
Purple clay teapots are made from Purple Clay. Purple clay is also known as “five-color clay”, which means that the colors of the clay are black, green, purple, green and yellow. However, it is traditionally divided into Hong Ni, Zi Ni, Lv Ni, and Duan Ni, all of which are different in terms of their clay properties and colors.
To know more details about the classification of purple clay you can click on this article: Classification of Purple Clay
Choose the right purple clay teapot according to your favorite tea. So you need to clarify the details about different purple clay materials. Next is the Crafting Process of Purple Clay Teapots.
The Crafting Process of Purple Clay Teapots
1. Molding Techniques for Purple Clay Teapots
The main methods for molding purple clay teapots include: hand-pulled, slip-cast, semi-handmade, and fully handmade.
Hand-Pulled: During a company team-building event, I experienced the making of Yixing purple clay teapots. In this method, on a rotating wheel, the potter uses inertia and centrifugal force to shape the clay into various pot forms. The pot spout and handle are then added. After a period of drying, a layer of slip is sprayed onto the surface, and the teapot is finally fired in a kiln.
Slip-Cast: Clay slip is poured directly into a mold, and once the clay solidifies, the teapot is formed. This method allows for high production efficiency and large quantities but diminishes the craftsmanship value.
Semi-Handmade: This involves creating an integral teapot with components such as the knob, lid, body, handle, and spout. “Semi-handmade” means that some or several components are assisted by molds. Certain teapot designs and crafting processes are intricate and challenging to achieve solely by hand.
Fully Handmade: This is the pinnacle! In fully handmade teapots, every component is crafted entirely by hand, involving a lengthy process with obvious challenges and difficulties.
As for Fully Handmade and Semi-Handmade, for tea drinkers, the difference may not be discernible. When it comes to using a purple clay teapot solely for brewing tea, the distinction between “fully handmade” and “semi-handmade” might not be a critical concern. The focus should be on the clay material and craftsmanship.
For collectors, I believe that unless it’s a masterpiece by a renowned artist who invested significant time and effort in the creation, not only testing their crafting skills but also demonstrating a profound understanding of clay characteristics, it is the combination of these factors that impart artistic value to the teapot. In my opinion, fully handmade teapots of this caliber possess true collectible value!
2. Purple Clay Teapot Shapes
There are dozens of shapes for purple clay teapots, and some common ones include:
Xi Shi Hu (西施壶): Developed by the purple clay master Xu Youquan, this shape is a must-have in collections. Its symbolism is straightforward, representing beauty akin to that of Xi Shi.
Shi Piao Hu (石瓢壶): A traditional and classic style in purple clay teapots, originally known as “Shi Diao.” Master Gu Jingzhou later referenced an ancient saying, “Three thousand weak waters, only drink one ladle,” leading to the name “Shi Piao.”
Fang Gu Ru Yi Hu (仿古如意壶): Initiated by the potter Shao Daheng from the Qing Dynasty, this shape originally mimicked the form of a drum. Over time, a homophonic wordplay transformed it from “Fang Gu” (imitating a drum) to “Fang Gu Ru Yi.”
Jing Lan Hu (井栏壶): As the name suggests, both its name and design are inspired by a well enclosure or fence, known as “jing lan.” In ancient times, these enclosures not only protected well water from sand and wind but also served as canvases for inscriptions and sculptures, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.
You will find more purple clay teapots shapes in this article: Top 10 Classic Shapes of Yixing Clay Teapots
Tips for Choosing a Purple Clay Teapot:
1. Aesthetic Appeal:
Opt for a shape that appeals to your taste. Choose a well-proportioned design that catches your eye.
2. Clay Material:
Ensure the clay material is of good quality. Since it’s used for drinking water, avoid materials with chemical additives.
3. Sealing Performance:
The lid doesn’t need to be perfectly sealed; it should rotate freely. A slight movement when shaken is acceptable, but violent shaking is unnecessary.
4. Craftsmanship:
Standard pot shapes require the handle, knob, and spout to align. Whether it’s fully handmade or semi-handmade, focus on neat craftsmanship.
For beginners, I recommend assessing the teapot’s pouring performance. If the pouring is smooth, the price is reasonable, and the craftsmanship is good, it’s a good choice!
2024 Recommendations for Purple Clay Teapot Brands and Products
As of 2024, here are brand and product recommendations for purple clay teapots:
SILINE
SILINE Fine Yixing Clay Teapot Series,Chinese Genuine Handmade Tea Pot 10.6 Oz,Infuse Brew Kungfu Tea Maker.
Natural Real Yixing Zisha Zini Purple Clay(宜兴紫砂-原矿紫泥), lead-free, cadmium-free; Excellent air permeability, when brewing and blooming loose leaf tea,,the tea soup will be more mellow and delicious, can keep the color,fragrance and taste no bad for a longer time even in summer!
SILINE
SILINE Fine Yixing Clay Teapot Series,Chinese Genuine Handmade Tea Pot 7.8 Oz with Filter,Infuse Brew Kungfu Tea Maker.
Fine series, better detailing! Handmade by the Chinese offical recognized searchable craftswoman -Zhou Chenghua(周承花),there are marks inside and outside of this Yixing tea pot.
