This handsome Jianshui teapot has a classical shape, with a generously-sized handle. The color is a deep, almost black purple. A few subtle streaks of reddish-brown are scattered across the pot, giving it a lovely ‘antiqued’ appearance. Its smooth and shiny surface is the result of the potter sanding and then carefully polishing (burnishing) the piece after firing. This final step brings out the clay’s rich color.
Our Lantern teapot comes wrapped in a protective silk-fabric pouch with a drawstring closure, and packaged in a presentation box with a metal closure. The pouch is perfect for storing the pot between uses to ward off scratches and dust. All photos are of the actual pot that is for sale (we only have one, so act quickly!).
Jianshui purple pottery is produced in Jianshui County in China’s Yunnan province. It, along with Yixing Zisha, Qinzhou Nixing and Rongchand make up China’s four famous types of pottery. The ores used to create Jianshui clay are collected from the areas surrounding mountains and consist of five colors: red, yellow, cyan, purple, and white. Once ground, the different ores can be blended in varying amounts to create different colors. The clay created from these ores is iron rich and once fired, it is significantly more dense (less porous ) and heavier than Yixing clay. Pieces are formed on a potter’s wheel and many are decorated with slip inlay designs. Jianshui clay contains little to no sand, allowing potters to create a high gloss finish on their pieces purely through the finish burnishing.
Jianshui teapots do retain heat and are well-suited for use with teas that steep at a higher temperature (Pu-erh and other hei cha, black tea, and oolong).
Although a Jianshui teapot is less porous than an Yixing teapot, we recommend that they be cared for in a similar manner. Follow the steps 1-6 only, found in How to ‘Raise’ an Yixing Teapot, for instructions.
Want to know more?
How to ‘Raise’ an Yixing Teapot
How We Determine the Size & Capacity of our Teawares