Teapot in the shape of bamboo trucks The handcrafted Yixing teapot is in the shape of bamboo trunks and decorated with an openwork design of bamboo leaves. Bamboo is one of the “Three Friends of Winter”, the symbol of steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience in Chinese culture. They are highly regarded in Confucianism and as such represent the Chinese literati’s spirits. Yixing teapots are made from Zisha (purple clay) nearby Dīngshān, on the west side of Lake Tai in China. It has been known since the 10th century, and flourished with the popular fashion of tea drinking among the literati in the late Ming dynasty. Stoneware(zisha) Yixing, China AD 1700-1750, Qing Dynasty Franks.2478 I.Yixing Teapot What is Yixing Teapot Yixing Teapot is made from purple clay from Yixing, China. It’s a very special clay has been known since the 10th century, but the production of Yixing teapots flourished with the popular fashion for tea drinking among the literati in the late Ming dynasty. I.Yixing Teapot Yixing teapot is ideal for black and oolong teas, as well as aged pu‐erh teas. • The composition of the clay allows for minimal shrinking during firing, and this makes for a tightly fitting lid, which reduces oxidation and holds the tea's flavour. The porosity of purple clay also helps it to absorb the flavour of the tea brewed in the teapot. Teapots made of purple sand keep tea fresh and they make tea vibrate with taste. I.Yixing Teapot How to make Yixing Teapot • Purple clay • Tools • Dragon kiln II. Yixing Teapot and Literati Evolution of the teapot in Ming Dynasty Gong Chun(1506—1566) • Servant of literati Wu Yushan II. Yixing Teapot and Literati Shi Dabin(1573—1648) • Improvement of process • Make the teapot smaller to accord with Literati’s need. II. Yixing Teapot and Literati • Qing Dynasty(18 Century) • The literati began to involve the making of the Yixing Teapot II. Yixing Teapot and Literati • Chen Hongshou (1768‐ 1822) • Famous for calligraphy, painting and seal • Design new style of Yixing Teapot II. Yixing Teapot and Literati Chen Hongshou’s Painting II. Yixing Teapot and Literati • Simplified the decorating • Poem, Calligraphy, Printing and Seal Mansheng’s Teapot II. Yixing Teapot and Literati • Three Friends of Winter • pine • bamboo • plum II. Yixing Teapot and Literati Four Gentlemen • orchid • bamboo • chrysanthemum • plum blossom II. Yixing Teapot and Literati • Teapot in Literati’s Life II. Yixing Teapot and Literati • Tang Yun III. From daily item to Artwork • inheritance and development the design of the Yixing Teapot by Literati’s spirit III. From daily item to Artwork • Gu Jingzhou III. From daily item to Artwork • Shi Xiaoma III. Yixing Teapot in today • Constructivism • Cubism • Teapot Sculptural • Artdeco.