Golden Pumpkin Yixing Teapot

One of the first famous Yixing designs, by Gong Chun, was in the shape of a burl, and the pumpkin form here joins the long tradition of 'nature pots' that have taken on shapes of eggplants, peaches, and pine stumps. In this piece, the emphasis is on the creamy orange speckled ore, a perfect complement to the pumpkin shape, which may even take on a waxy, curcubitous sheen with careful seasoning. But the artist has not skimped on naturalistic details either, and the handle, lid knob, and upturned spout are molded in the shape of woody stems, encircled by delicate leaves and fine tendrils. A built-in ball filter strains leaves for a clean and straight pour, and a little notch on the lid ensures it's placed back in the most appealing orientation.

Written by Dimitri

The clay

The yellowish duanni (缎泥) ore is the lightest of typical Yixing ores, and depending on the exact composition and firing can range from from green to grey, yellow to orange. It can smooth astringency, though some also enjoy using it with lighter teas—white, yellow, and even green.

Lao duanni (老段泥) has been stored for many years before use, allowing the clay to break down for better shaping.

Why do I need a Yixing teapot?

The material and the shape of Yixing teapots are ideal for brewing tea. They bring out the tea flavor like no other tea vessel. Hand-made Yixing teapots are also valuable handicrafts sought after by collectors. Their value raises with time, usage and artist popularity.

Yixing teapots are made of a rare and depleting clay mined in the mountains near Yixing, a city in the Jiangsu province. The high density yet porous nature of the clay absorbs the smell of the tea brewed in it. For this reason, it is advised to use the pot with only one kind of tea (for instance with black teas or green teas). Bring your tea to the next level; allow yourself an authentic Yixing teapot.