In the world of tea ware, if the Xi Shi teapot shape offers the full, graceful beauty of a legendary belle, then Nixing clay from Qinzhou brings the quiet, time-worn soul of antiquity. The perfect union of the peerless craftsmanship of Artisan Hu Dongli and the refined carved bamboo motif has created a work of art no kindred spirit's tea table should be without.
To help fellow tea lovers picture and choose the piece easily, here are the details of this work:
Teapot shape: Xi Shi (full-bodied, balanced, with an elegant handle and a powerful pour).
Clay: Nixing ware (Nixing pottery) - one of the celebrated "Four Great Potteries" of Qinzhou, Guangxi.
Maker: Artisan Hu Dongli (handmade, with finely worked lines).
Motif: carved noble bamboo (raised carving, slender and delicate, on the side of the body and on the lid).
Capacity: 220ml (suited to a tea session for 2 - 4 people).
Filter: 14 holes (fast pouring, with no worry of clogging by tea leaves).
Nixing ware uses a special clay taken from both banks of the Qin River, fired at temperatures above $1000^\circ\text{C}$ with no glaze applied. What makes this clay special:
Outstanding aroma retention and heat retention: it fully awakens the flavour of demanding teas such as pu-erh, oolong or Tie Guan Yin.
Colour that changes over time (seasoning the pot): the longer it is used, the smoother and glossier the mineral layer on the surface becomes, deepening into a warm, mellow tone.
As the photographs show, the Xi Shi shape stands out for its rounded body and the softly curved reverse handle, which makes it exceptionally secure and well balanced in the hand. Together with the 14-hole filter, the pot delivers a round, strong stream that cuts off cleanly.
With a masterful carving knife, artisan Hu Dongli has breathed life into the piece with a scene of slender bamboo growing beside a rock. In East Asian culture, bamboo is the symbol of the noble mind: resilient, supple, and hollow within, standing for serenity and a forgiving heart. The motif not only adds to the beauty of the pot but also brings a sense of calm and ease each time you look at it while drinking tea.
Opening the pot: before first use, rinse the pot clean with warm water, then simmer it gently in tea liquor (the tea you plan to brew regularly) for about 10 - 15 minutes to remove any clay dust.
Seasoning the pot: after each brewing, rinse it with boiling water and wipe the outside dry with a soft cloth. Avoid dish soap or cleaning chemicals, which affect the porous structure that lets the clay hold aroma.
All products are in stock and on display in our shops.
