If you ask a connoisseur of purple clay Teapots about their regrets, besides the rarity of finding a good Teapot, it would be that the lid of a well-maintained teapot breaks! Why is the lid more prone to breakage than the pot?

This is because when using a Purple Clay Teapot, enthusiasts are generally careful to avoid any bumps or knocks, but they may not handle the lid with the same level of care. The lid is opened frequently for cleaning and adding Tea, making it more susceptible to accidents. Therefore, users need to be extra cautious and handle the lid gently.

There is an industry saying: “It's easier to make three teapots than to match one lid,” because making a lid has its own set of standards.

Standards for Making a Lid

A qualified lid for a purple clay teapot must meet the requirements of “straightness, tightness, smoothness, and rotation.”

• Straightness: deep and straight, so that when pouring tea and tilting the pot, the lid does not easily fall off;
• Tightness: fits tightly without any gaps, allowing easy opening and closing;
• Smoothness: specifically for round lids, the lid should rotate smoothly even after being closed;
• Rotation: specifically for square lids, the lid should fit perfectly from any direction and be as tight as if it were seamless.

Making a lid for a purple clay teapot already involves these standards, so it's imaginable how difficult it is to find a matching lid. Can a lid be matched? Yes, but there are factors to consider.

The Challenges of Matching a Lid

• It's not impossible to match, but the cost is high. To match the original material, style, and craftsmanship while also capturing the shape, spirit, and aura of the original work is no simple task. In some ways, matching a lid can be more troublesome than making an entire teapot. Finding a lid that fits perfectly is very challenging and requires time, effort, and money.
• If the cost of matching a lid far exceeds the value of the teapot, then you might consider using the original pot as a fairness cup or for another purpose.
• Purple clay teapots experience two types of shrinkage from the raw form to the finished product: drying shrinkage and firing shrinkage. The degree of shrinkage is directly related to the type of clay, the moisture content of the raw form, the firing temperature, and the firing duration. Therefore, even if two teapots are made from the same type of clay, each firing will result in slightly different sizes.

Generally, after the raw form is completed, the lid and body must be fired together. If they are fired separately, even if placed in different kiln boxes, differences in shrinkage can cause them not to fit properly.

• It is difficult to find the same type of clay and achieve the same color after firing. Firstly, the composition ratio of original purple clay varies based on its location. Secondly, differences in firing temperatures lead to different colors. Even if the same type of clay is found, the teapot maker must repeatedly test different firing conditions to find the most suitable environment for matching the lid.

How to Avoid Damaging the Lid

• Select a Suitable Tea Tray
  Many people prefer hard material tea trays, which inadvertently creates a safety hazard. It is best to use wooden tea tables, tea trays, or lay down mats. This way, if the teapot slips, the chance of it breaking is reduced. It's best to keep the teapot on the table at all times.
• Do Not Overcrowd the Tea Tray
  Avoid placing too many teapots on the tray to prevent them from bumping into each other. Place items like the fairness cup and tea cups in the most convenient positions to avoid collisions during the tea-making process, reducing the likelihood of breakage.
• Handling Technique Matters
  When pouring tea, gently press one finger on the lid knob, ensuring the teapot remains in your hand throughout the process. Keep your eyes on the teapot, handle it gently, and avoid the lid falling off while pouring.
• Place Appropriately and Take Personal Responsibility
  In addition to laying mats under the tea tray and table, pay attention to where you place the teapot. Carefully instruct family members or cleaners that you will personally clean and maintain the purple clay teapot. If you have young children, take extra precautions.
• Be Mindful of Personal Habits
  Some people tie a string between the lid and handle to reduce the chance of the lid falling off, but this actually increases the risk of the lid bumping against the pot during use. Also, remember to warm up the teapot when the temperature is low to prevent cracking due to thermal shock, especially for red clay teapots.

Article source: Purple Clay Teapot Encyclopedia, information shared for educational purposes. If copyright issues arise, please contact us for removal.