Yixing Clay Teapots

• October 22, 2013
• admin
• News, Tea Talk

The Yixing Clay Teapot

Even seasoned tea-lovers may not have heard of the wonderful ceramic teapots made in the town of Yixing (pronounced “ee-shing”), China. The town is located about 120 miles northwest of Shanghai, and is considered to be the Pottery Capital of China.

What makes the Yixing pots special is the “Zisha” clay is found in the hilly areas around Yixing and no where else. Zisha is often referred to as purple clay, though it actually comes in other colors too (light brown to red). The clay is not chemically remarkable, consisting of quartz, kaolin, mica and iron oxide which gives the reddish color to the clay. This clay is very porous when fired and is absolutely ideal for the making of unglazed teapots. Over time, the clay absorbs the flavors and oils from the tea. You should never scrub out your Yixing teapot, but only rinse it with cold water! They say that a well-used Yixing teapot can brew tea with hot water alone.

Yixing pots can be simple and elegant, or exotic and elaborate. Each pot is shaped by hand on a potter’s wheel and marked by the craftsman (on the bottom and/or under the lid, and occasionally on the handle).

Teapots from Yixing have been popular in China since the Song dynasty (960-1279). It wasn’t until the 1600’s that tradesmen began spreading them throughout Europe and Asia. They were sought-after treasures, and often found in the homes of the social elite and even royalty.

The collecting of teapots is a popular hobby these days, and many collectors focus solely on Yixing teapots. One of the highest prices ever paid for pot (that wasn’t even an antique) that was made in 1995 by the artist Gu Jingzhouwasin was in 2008 for $70,000 US dollars at a sale in Macau; in 2010 one was sold for 12.32 million yuan (2,005,597.44 US dollars)!