Zisha (purple clay) Teapots have seen their shapes and types enriched from the Ming dynasty to the present day, forming a magnificent landscape. However, no matter how much these shapes evolve, they never depart from their intrinsic principles.

The principle, in this context, refers to their internal logic. A Teapot, ultimately used for brewing Tea, must have four components: body, spout, handle, and lid.

Today, we are going to talk about the spout of zisha teapots.

There are four common styles of zisha teapot spouts: straight, one-bend, two-bend, and three-bend.

Straight Spout

The straight spout, also known as the cannon barrel or steel pipe spout, is upright and firm. The most representative shape that features this type of spout is the Shi Piao teapot. Most Shi Piao teapots we see today have straight spouts, which has become a defining characteristic of this style.

The advantage of the straight spout is its excellent water flow. With the shortest water path, the water flow from a straight spout is generally very good, powerful, and quick. It also prevents the tea from being over-steeped. Teapots such as Shi Piao and Ju Lun Zhu typically feature straight spouts, and their practicality is undeniable.

One-bend Spout

The one-bend spout is commonly found on antique-style teapots. Its water flow is also very good, comparable to that of the straight spout. In terms of design, it emphasizes the sense of line transition, achieving both aesthetics and functionality.

Two-bend Spout

A typical example of a two-bend spout is shown above. It can also be referred to as an inverted spout, where the one-bend spout is flipped upside down. The hole in this type of spout usually faces upwards, hence it is also called a skyward-facing spout.

The water flow from a two-bend spout follows a parabolic trajectory, creating a visually pleasing water line. The base of the spout is positioned lower, generating greater water pressure, which benefits the water flow from the teapot.

Three-bend Spout

The three-bend spout is commonly found on tall-bodied zisha teapots. For these pot shapes, a straight or bent spout would not match the body well, while a three-bend spout better highlights the smoothness and gracefulness of the lines.

In comparison, the water flow from a three-bend spout is not as strong as that from a straight spout, as the tea liquor has to pass through the winding and twisting three bends, making the flow less forceful.

However, this also brings another advantage: easier control of the water flow, especially noticeable in larger teapots. The straight spout's excellent water flow makes it difficult to control the pouring and stopping of water. Nowadays, to improve the water flow of the three-bend spout, many incorporate ball-shaped holes, which enhances the water flow and can be seen as a step forward in craftsmanship.

Everyone has different preferences for teapot spouts. Moreover, when discussing the teapot's form and composition, simply comparing the spouts alone does not provide a convincing argument.

No matter how the spout and handle are matched, they cannot be separated from the overall design of the teapot. This is something everyone should understand.

In summary, each of these spout types has its own characteristics. There is no definitive answer as to which type of spout is the best in zisha teapots; each has its unique features.

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