Purple clay Teapots can be divided into main bodies and attachments in terms of their construction. 1) Main body: This includes the pot body, pot mouth, pot base, pot foot, pot lid, and pot knob (button). 2) Attachments: Spout (flow), handle, etc. The “pot body,” also known as the “body cylinder,” is the main part of a Teapot. As a practical tool for brewing Tea, the pot body is the most important “container” part. Based on its shape, it can generally be divided into round wares, square wares, and ribbed wares. The “pot lid” is like the “door” of a Purple Clay Teapot, which is the “import and export” point for tea leaves. Pot lids can generally be divided into pressed lids, inset lids, and cut-off lids.

In terms of construction, they can be divided into the main body and attachments.

1) Main body: This includes the pot body, pot mouth, pot base, pot foot, pot lid, and pot knob (button).

2) Attachments: Spout (flow), handle, etc.

Pot Body

The “pot body,” also known as the “body cylinder,” is the main part of a teapot. As a practical tool for brewing tea, the pot body is the most important “container” part. Based on its shape, it can generally be divided into round wares, square wares, and ribbed wares.

Pot Lid

The “pot lid” is like the “door” of a purple clay teapot, which is the “import and export” point for tea leaves. Pot lids can generally be divided into pressed lids, inset lids, and cut-off lids.

Pot Knob

The pot knob, also known as the button, is designed to lift the pot lid. Although small, it plays a role akin to “the finishing touch” with rich variations, making it a critical part of the teapot's design. Common types include ball knobs, bridge knobs, ring knobs, animal-shaped knobs, and more.

Spout

The spout of a purple clay teapot is analogous to one of the human features. It connects to the pot body, and when there is a clear boundary, it is called “obvious connection.” When there is no obvious boundary and it emerges naturally, it is called “hidden connection.” The “spout,” also known as the “flow,” is self-explanatory as it is the channel through which tea flows. Depending on different shapes, there are straight spouts, single-bend spouts, double-bend spouts, triple-bend spouts, and so on.

Outflow Hole

Different teapots have different “outflow holes” at the junction between the spout and the pot body. Ming Dynasty purple clay teapots often had “single holes,” while after the mid-Qing Dynasty, “three holes,” “seven holes,” “nine holes,” and other net-hole teapots appeared. Later, there were also “ball hole”-shaped “outflow holes.”

Handle

It is designed for easy gripping and is positioned from the shoulder to the lower end of the pot belly, symmetrically opposite the spout. The handle complements the spout. Generally, handles can be divided into side handles (which can be further divided into normal handles (larger on top, smaller on bottom) and inverted handles (larger on bottom, smaller on top)), cross handles, and handle loops.

Pot Base

Depending on the difference in shape, it can be divided into added bases (foot rings), pressed bases, and stud bases.

Inscription

Inscription: Different purple clay artisans like to display inscriptions in different positions, commonly found on the pot bottom, inside the lid, or inside the pot, among other places.