If you ask a purple clay enthusiast about their regrets, aside from the difficulty in obtaining a good Teapot, it would be that the lid of a well-maintained teapot breaks! Why is the lid more likely to break than the body of the teapot?

When using a Purple Clay Teapot, enthusiasts usually take care to avoid knocks and bumps, but they may not handle the lid with the same level of caution. However, the lid is opened frequently for cleaning and when adding Tea leaves or water, making it more susceptible to accidents. This requires careful handling by users, who should lift and place the lid gently.

There's an industry saying: “It's easier to make three Teapots than to match one lid,” as making a lid involves a set of standards.

Standards for Making a Lid

A qualified purple clay teapot lid must meet the requirements of being “Straight, Tight, Smooth, and Rotatable.”

Straight: Deep and straight, so when pouring tea, tilting the pot does not cause the lid to fall off;

Tight: A snug fit without any gaps, allowing the lid to move freely up and down;

Smooth: Specifically for round lids, requiring the ability to rotate smoothly after being placed on the teapot;

Rotatable: Specifically for square lids, enabling the lid to fit in any direction with a perfect seal and no difference in fit.

Making a lid for a purple clay teapot already involves these standards, so the requirements for matching a lid can be imagined. Can a lid be matched? Yes, but consider these factors:

Matching a Lid is Not Easy

1. It's not that a lid cannot be matched; it's just that the cost is high.

Matching the original clay, style, and craftsmanship, while also capturing the form, spirit, and aura, is no simple task. To some extent, matching a lid can be more troublesome than making an entire teapot. Matching a lid that fits perfectly is very difficult and requires time, effort, and money.

Therefore, if the cost of matching a lid far exceeds the value of the teapot, then consider using the original teapot as a fairness cup or for other purposes.

2. From raw form to finished product, a purple clay teapot goes through two stages of contraction: drying contraction and firing contraction.

The degree of contraction is directly related to the type of clay, the dryness of the raw form, the firing temperature, and the firing time. Even teapots made from the same type of clay will have slight differences in size due to each firing process.

Generally, after the raw form is made, both the lid and the body must be fired together. If they are fired separately, even in different kiln boxes, there may be a mismatch due to differing degrees of contraction.

3. It's difficult to find the same clay and achieve the same color after firing.

Firstly, the location and composition ratio of the original purple clay deposits vary, so even the same type of clay will have different characteristics.

Secondly, differences in firing temperatures result in varying colors. Therefore, even if the same type of clay is found, the teapot maker needs to repeatedly fire test pieces to find the most suitable firing conditions for matching the lid!

How to Avoid Lid Bumps

1. Choose a Suitable Tea Tray

Many people prefer hard material tea trays, which inadvertently pose a safety risk. It is best to use wooden tea tables, tea trays, or lay carpets.

This way, even if the teapot slips, the chance of it breaking can be minimized. Ideally, keep the teapot on the table at all times.

2. Don't Overcrowd the Tea Tray

Teaware should be spaced out, and too many items on the tray can lead to collisions between teapots. Tools like the fairness cup and drinking cups should be placed in the most convenient positions to avoid collisions during the tea-making process, reducing the likelihood of breakage.

3. Technique Matters

The technique of handling the teapot matters. When pouring tea, lightly press a finger on the lid knob, ensuring the entire process is done with the teapot always in hand and the focus on the teapot. Lift and place the lid gently to prevent it from falling off while pouring.

4. Place Appropriately and Handle Yourself

In addition to laying carpets under tea trays and tables, pay attention to where the teapot is placed and carefully instruct family members or cleaners. Personally handle the cleaning and maintenance of your purple clay teapot, especially if there are children around.

5. Be Mindful of Personal Habits

Some people tie a string between the lid and the handle to reduce the likelihood of the lid falling off, but this can actually increase the chances of the lid bumping into the body during use.

Additionally, remember to pre-warm your teapot when the temperature is low, as sudden temperature changes can cause some teapots, particularly those made of red clay, to crack.