Zisha teapots, as a unique Han Chinese handcrafted pottery art, reflect the artisan's ingenuity from raw material to finished product. Evaluating a Zisha teapot's value goes beyond identifying its clay or maker—it involves assessing its shape, artistry, and more.

To appreciate a square Zisha piece, observe the following:

1. Strength

Strength is the most striking feature of a square Zisha piece. Works like Huang Yulin's 'Pusha Doufang Teapot' or Gu Jingzhou's 'Monk's Cap Teapot' are treasured for their youthful vigor, with lines and angles exuding power.

2. Angles

A square teapot is measured by geometric principles. 'Angles' here refer not just to corners but to balance—clear delineation, symmetry, and proportional harmony.

3. Texture

Square Zisha ware demands specific clay, often mixed with sand grains like 'pinzi' or 'dicaoqing.' When fired, the grains create a subtle, aged-yet-vibrant texture, distinguishing it from other Zisha styles.

Wang Tao's Work: Hidden Elegance

4. Proportion

Designs must be rational, balanced, and fluid. Artisans must master transitions between solid and void, ensuring multi-layered pieces have depth and spatial presence.

5. Smoothness

Square-round teapots combine multiple surfaces. Edges should soften into curves ('roundness within squareness'), though this depends on the design's intent—not every joint needs forced rounding.