Rainflower Stone Frog Purple Zi Ni Yixing Teapot
170mL
- Capacity: 170mL
- Origin: Yixing County, Jiangsu Province
- Material: Zi ni (紫泥) – Unglazed purple Yixing clay base; Yixing clay detailing: yellow & green duan ni (段泥), red hong ni (红泥), purple zi ni (紫泥)
- Artist: 陆彩雲 Lu Caiyun
$340.00
1 in stock
The longer one looks, the more detail one discovers in this daring showcase of the natural beauty of Yixing clay and Chinese geology. A masterwork of design in four natural shades of Yixing clay: purple, yellow, red, and green.
Perhaps the most striking details show in the seven marbled “stones” that rise from the flat top of the teapot’s body. By blending thin layers of these four colors of Yixing clay, the sculptor has recreated the appearance of the famous Yuhua or “rainflower” stones, which only occur in the Nanjing region of Jiangsu Province. These geologically unique agate pebbles show a wide variety of natural colorful layered patterns and get polished smooth in the waters of the Yangzi River. Due to the skill of their blending and sculpture, these Yixing Yuhua stones appear as if embedded into the purple base clay of the teapot.
The short, thick spout and handle of this teapot underline its stone-like sturdiness, while delicate curving lines across its body inlaid with natural yellow clay give it a flowing elegance.
This riverborne teapot is crowned with a dainty frog made from pale green duan ni clay, perched on the lid as its handle and hand-painted in natural clay paint. Its articulate eyes wiggle independently.
An utterly unique piece of functional art.
About Yixing Clay
Yixing clay from Yixing County is prized for its high levels of iron, which holds heat and is said to improve flavor.
Unglazed Yixing clay absorbs aromas and flavors easily, and the tea you make in it seasons it over time. To keep within a similar flavor profile, most people dedicate a specific teapot for brewing just one type of tea, like rock wulong or sheng puer.
To clean, just rinse your pot off with boiling water. Avoid washing with soap.
