LONG DAN TEAPOT – NIXING WARE FROM QINZHOU
(ARTISAN ZENG SHIJUN)
A piece with a settled character and inner depth. The full, rounded Long Dan form combines hand-carved bamboo and gilded calligraphy on a deep, smooth ground of Qinzhou Nixing ware, creating an overall harmony of form – meaning – function that only deepens with use.
Form: The body is full and round, tapering evenly like a dragon’s egg, with unbroken curves running from the lid down through the body and no sharp angles. The lid knob is small and neat, balanced against the whole.
Meaning:
“Long Dan” – Dragon Egg – stands for beginnings, vital energy and completeness. In the tea ceremony the Long Dan shape is prized for its stability, its ability to gather the aroma, and its auspicious meaning.
The experience:
A compact shape that sits in the palm, with a low, steady centre of gravity. Pouring feels solid and assured – well suited to slow, quiet tea sessions.
Front – hand-carved bamboo:
The bamboo motif is carved by hand directly into the body of the pot, the lines fine but decisive, the composition following the round Long Dan form.
What bamboo means:
Bamboo stands for the character of the noble person:
– Straight without being rigid
– Hollow within, to keep the mind humble
– Enduring through wind and frost
Very much in keeping with the spirit of the tea drinker: still – patient – deep.
Back – gilded calligraphy:
Carved calligraphy carrying the spirit of “Clarity – Stillness – Ease – Nurture”, the brushwork supple yet strong, placed in balance with the body of the pot so that the eye comes to rest as the pot is turned in the hand.
The whole:
One side is the image of bamboo, the other the meaning of the words – image and meaning side by side, never showy, and the longer you look the more depth appears.
Capacity: 300ml – suits 3–4 people taking tea together.
Use:
The rounded body of the Long Dan shape gathers the aroma well and holds heat steadily. Suits green tea, red tea, and light to medium oolong.
The Qinzhou Nixing clay:
A smooth surface that holds heat well and develops a patina with use, deep in colour with a natural sheen.
Entirely handmade:
Forming, lapping the lid and carving the decoration are all done by hand, and carry the artisan’s clear signature.
14-hole filter:
– Drilled by hand, even and true
– Holds back the leaf well; the water runs smoothly and never clogs
Function:
– Cuts off cleanly, without dripping
– Tight-fitting lid that stays put when tilted
– Well-proportioned spout with a smooth, true stream
All products are in stock and on display in our shops.
