The shapes of zisha Teapots are varied and diverse. When summarizing and analyzing these forms, people have proposed four concepts: flowerware, plainware, ribbed ware, and sculptural ware. These four types of pots each present their own charm and all contain the unique style and connotations of zisha teapots.

When choosing a pot shape, one should not only pay attention to its formal beauty but also, through its structural form, savor its artistic spirit.

So, how should the shape of a zisha Teapot be appreciated? Control the beauty of the zisha teapot's shape from the following four directions to feel its elegant and restrained temperament.

I. Types of Zisha Teapot Shapes

1. Flowerware

A teapot designed and decorated with natural forms from nature and the animal and plant kingdoms using relief carving, semi-relief, and other modeling techniques is referred to as “flowerware.”

▲ Gong Chun Teapot

For example, the Gong Chun Tree Burls Teapot was reportedly inspired by burls on ancient ginkgo tree trunks, which were then molded into the shape of the teapot. This is the earliest recorded “flowerware” according to historical documents.

▲ Spring Splendor Autumn Harvest

Traditional zisha teapot designs such as “Fish Transforming into Dragon,” “Bamboo Section,” and “Pine Bamboo Plum” are all representative works of the flowerware style.

2. Plainware

Plainware shapes, also known as geometric shapes, are derived from changes to spherical, cylindrical, cubic, rectangular, and other geometric shapes.

▲ Original Work by Cheng Shouzhen – Duiqiu Teapot

Plainware emphasizes the combination of external contour lines and pays attention to the presentation of angles, lines, and surfaces, making it the easiest way to discern the skill level of the artist.

▲ Square Angle Teapot

This category can further be divided into round and square types. The “Duiqiu Teapot,” “Ancient Imitation Teapot,” and “Han Flat Teapot” are typical examples of the round type, while the “Square Angle Teapot” and “Transmission Furnace Teapot” are typical examples of the square type.

3. Ribbed Ware

Ribbed ware requires dividing natural forms like melon ridges, petal patterns, and cloud water patterns into several equal parts and incorporating lively and flowing rib lines into precise and rigorous design plans. This is the basic requirement for ribbed ware.

▲ Sunflower Ancient Imitation Teapot

▲ Begonia Teapot

The top-down view of a ribbed teapot is strictly accurate, while the side view is lively and flowing, rich in rhythm and melody.

“Sunflower Ancient Imitation Teapot,” “Combined Chrysanthemum Teapot,” “Half Chrysanthemum Teapot,” and “Begonia Teapot” best represent this style.

4. Sculptural Ware

In addition to the traditional flowerware, plainware, and ribbed ware, potters have sought new paths, integrating sculpture into teapots, thereby creating a new major category of zisha teapots.

▲ Sculptural Button Zisha Teapot

The shape of these teapots is lively and vivid, similar to sculptures, yet they retain the practical characteristics of teapots. This is an innovative contribution made by contemporary zisha artisans to the art of zisha shapes.

II. Smoothness of Zisha Teapots

1. Overall Smoothness

We often hear that a teapot's aura is unimpeded. Essentially, this means the accuracy and smoothness of the connection between the teapot's local parts and the main body of the pot in terms of lines.

▲ How to Look at the Shape of a Zisha Teapot

If the position of the joint is incorrect, the qi of the teapot will be cut off. Conversely, if the overall qi of the teapot can connect and form a cycle, this problem largely tests the maker's skill.

2. Smoothness of Spout/Handle

The change in thickness of the spout/handle, from the hand grip (handle) to the body, and then from thick to thin, concentrating at a point (tip of the spout), before spraying out.

This is what we refer to as the transition “from point to surface back to point.”

▲ Cheng Shoushou Duiqiu

This transition requires the spout and handle to be finely connected with the body of the pot to achieve the effect of smooth air circulation, forming a cycle of qi, which is essential for a great work.

3. Smooth Pouring

One of the important reasons for doing this is to ensure comfort when lifting and holding, as well as to allow the root of the spout to withstand the maximum water pressure, ensuring a smooth pour.

▲ Peach Age Teapot

III. Fullness and Strength of Zisha Teapots

Why are fullness and strength discussed together? Because achieving pure fullness in making a zisha teapot is not difficult, but achieving both fullness and strength with a “folded corner” is challenging