小仿古 Xiao Fangu- Yixing Teapot, Benshan Lüni Clay
This elegant Yixing teapot, is crafted from Běnshān Lǜní (本山绿泥), a rare and high-quality Zisha clay known for its fine texture and excellent breathability. This special clay has a natural greenish hue before firing and matures into a warm, soft yellow tone after being kiln-fired. Its porous nature enhances the tea’s flavor, allowing the teapot to develop a unique patina over time.
Designed in the Xiǎo Fǎnggǔ (小仿古) shape, this teapot follows a classic and timeless form inspired by ancient Chinese teapot designs. The "Fǎnggǔ" (仿古) style, meaning "imitating antiquity," embodies balance, stability, and refined simplicity. The rounded body, gracefully curved spout, and well-proportioned handle create an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional piece, perfect for daily tea brewing.
Every detail meticulously handcrafted by our trusted master Yuan Weixin, is a perfect combination of tradition and artistry. Over time, as the teapot absorbs the essence of the tea, it will develop a richer character, enhancing both its beauty and performance.
Capacity: 90 ml
Diameter: 45 mm
Width: 70 mm
Length: 105 mm
Height: 60 mm
Net weight: 112 gr
Note: each yixing is a unique hand-made piece, the sizes indicated above are purely indicative.
The Yixing clay has been known to be the best material for steeping tea for at least one thousand years, and what we use today is the perfected result of a centuries-old artisan tradition.
The central characteristic of a Yixing teapot is its porosity, that frees the tea fragrance and allows a unique seasoning of the pot.
Every time we steep the tea in it, our pot absorbs the tea oils and color, gaining a natural coating that enriches the essential taste of the tea. For this reason it is recommended to steep only one kind of tea in your Yixing pot, rinsing it with pure water, without any soap, and air-drying it.
Before you first use your Yixing pot we advise you to follow an easy and effective procedure, that will ensure the best quality brewing for the years to come:
1- steep few grams of the tea you intend to use with your Yixing teapot in a normal kitchen pot full of water;
2- boil the water for about half of an hour, brewing a very strong tea;
3- remove the tea leaves, leaving a clear brew;
4- wrap your Yixing in a rug or cloth, taking care to wrap its lid in a different piece of cloth. We will boil it in the same pot we have prepared, so we need to ensure the best protection for our Yixing teapot;
5- submerge the Yixing teapot in the strong tea for another half hour;
6- let it cool down naturally, then rinse with fresh water.
Our Yixing teapots come from the studio of Yuan Weixin 袁伟新 and his wife Lian Meiping 连美平, grand-daughter of Luyao Chen, one of the rare 国家级大师, the National Level of Master.
From him they have inherited a priceless stock of the best clay, seasoned through the decades.
Their pieces are fully hand-made, carved and baked multiple times in different kilns, according to the clay and the final results.
ABOUT YUAN WEIXIN 袁伟新
Yuan Weixin has achieved theNational Senior-Master 高级工艺美术师 (国家) level in this art, which can only be mastered through a lifetime of experience; in addition to pottery, he is a calligraphy master and a renown calligraphy teacher.
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
We visit their studio every three months to choose the teapots, and to fulfil our eyes with their creation. They are among the warmest people we have ever met, and living in their studio for few days always restore our mind.
They are happy to customise your tea pot choosing your preferred clay, shape, and carving: write us for booking and further information.
CERTIFICATE OF GUARANTEE
Each teapot is shipped with a certificate of guarantee signed by the artist.
