The Three Treasures of Teapot Collecting are a must-have for most collectors and enthusiasts: Gong Chun, Xi Shi, and Shi Piao. These three shapes are very classic, practical, and suitable for both collecting and using.
Gong Chun is a Ming dynasty flower-shaped pot, vividly realistic. Xi Shi and Shi Piao are Qing Dynasty light-shaped pots. After several hundred years, these three shapes are still pursued and loved by many teapot enthusiasts. Whether they're new to the hobby or seasoned veterans, collectors can gain some inspiration and insight from these three Teapots.
Gong Chun
The Gong Chun pot follows the principle of “the way of nature,” forming the Chinese art style of being restrained, subtle, suggestive, and focused on conveying spirit and form together.
The Gong Chun uses an impressionistic eye to view objects, lively shapes to inspire emotions, a simple temperament to create an atmosphere, and refined techniques to express meaning. Its artistic appeal transcends sight, reaching the heart through shape and meaning.
The Gong Chun pot is novel, delicate, elegant, and natural. At the time, people praised it with, “a dark chestnut color, like ancient iron, robust and well-proportioned.” These twelve words accurately summarize the characteristics of the Gong Chun pot, giving one the feeling of seeing the pot itself. Although its body is thin, it is very sturdy.
The Gong Chun pot is not just about form but also about the humanistic spirit it displays. Its primitive and simple exterior creates a tranquil, understated, and Zen-like atmosphere.
Gong Chun sought a fusion, maintaining a strong sense of natural form while avoiding hollow content. Through its shape, it suggests deeper meanings beyond the visual, carrying spiritual significance that transcends mere appearance, becoming a carrier of culture and spirit.
Xi Shi
Mention Xi Shi, and most are familiar, as she was one of the four great beauties of ancient China, with her graceful figure and stunning beauty that awed all who saw her.
In the world of Yixing clay teapots, there's a pot known as “Xi Shi,” with its round body, cut lid, short spout, and inverted handle, looking charming and endearing.
The body of the Xi Shi pot represents the full and enticing breasts of a washer woman. On the top of the cut lid, the red-tinged nipples evoke the purity and innocence of a young maiden. The cherry-shaped mouth is a characteristic feature of a Chinese beauty, used here for the spout, which is both imaginative and practical.
The unique inverted handle in this teapot symbolizes the dynamic of a beauty's flowing hair. The body of the Xi Shi pot resembles the smooth and round cheeks of a beauty, with the cherry-shaped spout slightly open, ready to speak. The noble crown on the cut lid serves as the lid knob, adding maturity and elegance.
Throughout history, Yixing artisans analyzed and understood the perfect and vivid theme of “Xi Shi,” using their rich imagination and creativity to shape a practical Yixing clay pot into a timeless narrative that evokes endless thoughts.
Shi Piao
Yixing clay teapots come in countless shapes and varieties. Among the dazzling array of styles, the Shi Piao pot has always held a place for its simplicity, elegance, and dignity, remaining popular since ancient times.
This shape has been consistently popular since its creation. There must be elements of artistic value and aesthetic appeal that satisfy the user's needs behind its enduring popularity.
Simplicity and practicality are important features of applied arts. Some Yixing works are ingenious and exquisite, but overly intricate, making them impractical and relegated to display only. Such designs cannot become popular. The Shi Piao's simplicity and practicality are important aesthetic elements themselves.
Simplicity and elegance are harmonious, but elegance goes beyond mere simplicity. Only through clever combinations of simple elements can the ordinary be transformed into something refined and interesting.
Strength with a touch of gentleness is the Shi Piao's greatest characteristic and the primary reason for its popularity among teapot enthusiasts.
Selecting these three teapots well will greatly help improve one's appreciation of Yixing clay teapots.
Source: Yixing clay teapot
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