The Bamboo Segment (zhujie) form is one of the supreme artistic icons among naturalistic teapots (those that imitate nature). The body is shaped like a sturdy bamboo joint, while the handle, spout and lid knob are stylised into supple bamboo branches and small bamboo segments – sinewy yet endlessly graceful. The teapot is not merely a functional tea vessel but also a beautiful work of art for display, symbolising the resilience, uprightness and nobility of the tea drinker.
The piece is carved from raw, unblended Zhuni ore clay of high purity. Zhuni is famous for its high shrinkage rate and for demanding great skill from the potter, but the finished work rewards that difficulty with outstanding qualities:
Aesthetic refinement: the teapot has the characteristic warm reddish-pink tone and a smooth surface. With time, care and seasoning, the clay develops an ever deeper patina, glossy as jade.
Ability to awaken the tea: Zhuni retains heat extremely well and concentrates aroma superbly, making it especially suited to teas whose fragrance and character need bringing out, such as oolong, Tieguanyin or Wuyi rock tea.
Every Bamboo Segment teapot is one of a kind, the result of meticulous handcrafting by Master Wang Hongwei. From the ridges on the bamboo joints and the natural creases at the nodes to the absolutely tight fit between lid and rim, everything reaches flawless completion. The teapot's weight is calculated for symmetrical balance, so that tea poured from the bamboo spout always runs smooth and strong, cuts off cleanly and never dribbles. The base bears the artisan's crisply stamped seal
All products are in stock and on display in our shops.
