Wendan (Da Hongpao)

The quality of a purple clay Teapot is often reflected in aspects such as the clay material, craftsmanship, shape, and capacity. When choosing a suitable teapot, one should consider these aspects carefully.

The identity of the user should match the characteristics of the purple clay teapot. For example, women's preferences when selecting a teapot differ from men's.

In terms of functionality, women generally have smaller hands than men, so the size of the teapot used by women should be smaller. Additionally, women typically drink less water than men, so a small purple clay teapot with a capacity of less than 200cc (ml) or a medium teapot with a capacity between 200cc and 350cc is more appropriate. Of course, if several people are chatting and enjoying Tea together, larger or extra-large Teapots can also be chosen.

Mingyuan Flat Lid (No.4 Well Deep Well Bottom Trough Qing)

From an aesthetic perspective, men often prefer teapots with straight lines, while women tend to favor teapots with smooth and rounded lines. This is akin to the saying, “Men are like open fields, upright and unbending; women are like circles, gentle and graceful.” The robust masculinity of men and the feminine grace of women are often vividly manifested in the creation and selection of teapot shapes.

Siting (Da Hongpao)

Regarding the clay material, according to available online resources, women mostly prefer zini (red clay).

Currently, the most common types of purple clay used for teapots are: purple clay, duan clay, and red clay. Different clays are suitable for brewing different types of tea.

For example, purple clay is suitable for Pu'er tea; duan clay is suitable for Pu'er tea, Tieguanyin, dark tea, oolong tea, Black Tea, and Green Tea; red clay is suitable for brewing highly fragrant teas such as Tieguanyin, white tea, Pu'er, and Longjing.

It can be seen that women's preferences for clay materials often reveal their personal preferences for tea.

Junde (Red Clay)

In terms of craftsmanship and appearance, some women who appreciate the finer things in life seem to resonate more with “flower-shaped teapots.” A “flower-shaped teapot” refers to a purple clay teapot that imitates the shapes of flowers and natural forms using sculpting techniques. In addition to its practical use, this type of teapot excels in decorative aspects.

Shi Shi Ruyi

The above focuses on the features of purple clay teapots that are more suitable for women based on functionality, aesthetics, clay material, and appearance. Next, we can search for specific styles among the diverse range of purple clay teapots.

1.

Xi Shi Teapot, Beauty Shoulder

Beauty Shoulder (Da Hongpao)

Xi Shi (40-mesh Red Clay)

The Xi Shi teapot is familiar to all tea lovers. It can be described as the most classic, traditional, and beloved teapot shape.

The Xi Shi teapot is characterized by its plump body (the fit and smoothness at the junction of the body), a flush lid (the lid and body fit tightly, as if cut in half), and a downward handle (the handle is thinner at the top and thicker at the bottom, which helps balance the teapot). It has always been a favorite for tea tasting and appreciation.

Xi Shi (40-mesh Red Clay)

Why is the Xi Shi teapot considered a “specialized teapot” for women?

As the name suggests, the inspiration for the Xi Shi teapot comes from Xi Shi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Naming it after “Xi Shi” emphasizes the beauty of its shape. Indeed, in his book “Catalogue of Tea Utensils,” published during the Meiji period in Japan, scholar Oku Genpo wrote in the chapter “Styles”: “There are several styles, including small round, rhombus flower… Beauty Shoulder, Xi Shi's breast…”

Since the Ming Dynasty, when Xu Youquan first created the Xi Shi teapot, later generations of purple clay artisans have fully utilized their imaginations to interpret and understand the theme of “Xi Shi.” They transformed fictional stories into tangible purple clay history, achieving fruitful artistic creations. Works themed around “Xi Shi” have greatly enriched people's lives and delighted them.

Tang Yu Xi Shi (Bottom Trough Qing)

The shape of the Xi Shi teapot wins with its seemingly simple yet rigorously designed and crafted form. As the saying goes, “Great simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” The simplest patterns and forms are often the hardest to shape, but once shaped successfully, they become timeless classics. The Xi Shi teapot is just such a case.

Teapot shapes similar to the Xi Shi include Beauty Shoulder, Longdan, Siting, and Pear-shaped teapots. These teapots excel with their harmonious and beautiful lines and the exquisite craftsmanship of simplifying complexity, while each has its unique characteristics due to slight differences in form.

Beauty Shoulder (Da Hongpao)

2.

Flower-Shaped Teapots

Shi Shi Ruyi