This exclusive teapot design was commissioned by us from the artist directly, yet could have been a thousand years old: A bell-like profile, reminiscent of early utilitarian pottery, is paired with a domed lid, thick spout, elongated handle and matching arched knob, and, most notably, a carved design in bas-relief ringing the body. We visited Master Ren Yi-Xin in his Yixing atelier, sketching the profile and pattern we wanted and selecting the ore together, specifically requesting a small volume with a large spout. The simple, geometric zig-zags are traditional motifs that symbolize 'water' and 'continuity', lending an archaic flare to the piece, especially when exposing the textured ore. The teapot allows placing large leaves in the wide mouth, flash brewing with a high leaf-to-water ratio, and a quick pour, filtered by a built-in net filter, designed especially for our gongfu-loving customers. Among all of the rare and distant finds on our shop, this is one we can guarantee you won't find anywhere else.

This duanni teapot was fired in a chai yao, or 'wood kiln', and the result is a particularly dark, almost olive color.

Written by Dimitri

About the artist

Ren Yi-Xin, a young potter from Dingshan, Yixing, grew up immersed in the rich Zisha culture of his hometown, cultivating a deep passion for this traditional art form. He refined his craft under the guidance of esteemed Yixing pottery master Xu Meiping, dedicating himself to the creation and design of Zisha teapots.

Through years of meticulous practice, Ren Yi-Xin has mastered the art of blending technical precision with artistic expression. His works are distinguished by their adherence to traditional forms, refined lines, and a seamless balance of practicality and beauty.

The clay

The yellowish duanni (缎泥) ore is the lightest of typical Yixing ores, and depending on the exact composition and firing can range from from green to grey, yellow to orange. It can smooth astringency, though some also enjoy using it with lighter teas—white, yellow, and even green.

Though often used for dramatic effects on porcelain, producing marked variations in color and texture, wood-firing also changes the surface of Yixing ware, resulting in darker colors and varying textures, depending on the amount of wood ash present.

Why do I need a Yixing teapot?

The material and the shape of Yixing teapots are ideal for brewing tea. They bring out the tea flavor like no other tea vessel. Hand-made Yixing teapots are also valuable handicrafts sought after by collectors. Their value raises with time, usage and artist popularity.

Yixing teapots are made of a rare and depleting clay mined in the mountains near Yixing, a city in the Jiangsu province. The high density yet porous nature of the clay absorbs the smell of the tea brewed in it. For this reason, it is advised to use the pot with only one kind of tea (for instance with black teas or green teas). Bring your tea to the next level; allow yourself an authentic Yixing teapot.