Fanggu Yixing Teapot: Shape, Origin and 8 Real Examples

September 24, 2026

Fanggu Yixing teapot in Zipao Yusha clay, 160 ml

The Fanggu (仿古) is the round, drum-bellied Yixing teapot that many people picture when they think of a "classic" teapot. The body is a flattened, swelling drum, the lid is capped by a small bead-like knob, the spout curves out in two bends and the handle is a full round ring. Its name is usually read as "imitating the antique"; it is also written with a character meaning "drum-like", which suits the shape just as well.

This guide covers what defines the Fanggu, what sources say — and disagree on — about its origin, what to check, and the eight Fanggu in our catalogue, listed in full at the end.

Fanggu Yixing teapot in Zipao Yusha clay, 160 ml, side view — No. 159 — Fanggu, Zipao Yusha clay, 160 ml, by Wang Ting. The flattened drum body, bead knob, curved spout and ring handle.

What defines the shape

A flattened drum body. The body is round and flat-shouldered, with the belly swelling outward like a squat drum. Above it, the neck rises slightly, and the lid plate on top is smooth.

Tight lid lines. Where the lid meets the rim, the matching lines on lid and pot should fit closely and read as one full, round line.

A bead knob. The knob is flat-round and firm, set upright at the centre of the lid like a single prayer bead.

Close-up of a Fanggu teapot lid showing the bead-shaped knob and lid lines — No. 131 — Fanggu, Longxuesha clay, 200 ml, by Hu Xiuping: the bead knob and the layered lines where lid meets rim.

A two-bend spout. The spout leaves the body and turns twice in a natural S-curve.

Fanggu teapot spout curving out from the swelling belly — No. 118 — Fanggu, Luni clay, 200 ml, by Fan Weibing. The spout grows out of the belly in two gentle bends.

A round ring handle. The handle rises in an even ring. On some pots the lower end of the handle trails away in a small tail, a so-called "flying" handle end.

Close-up of the round ring handle of a Fanggu teapot — The ring handle of No. 118.

The "three ellipses" test

The best-known way to judge a Fanggu is to look for three echoing ovals: the curve of the lid surface, the lid body, and the flange that drops into the pot. They are different sizes, but they should share the same outline. When they agree, the pot looks resolved. When one is off, the whole top looks slightly wrong even if you can't say why.

Fanggu teapot in Zhuni clay with the lid removed beside it — No. 350 with the lid off: compare the lid, its flange and the opening.

Where it comes from — and what sources disagree on

There is no single agreed origin story. Sources date it to the mid-to-late Qing dynasty in general, or more narrowly to the Guangxu reign (1875–1908) near its very end. The makers named differ as well. The traditional account credits Shao Daheng. Others say the form was made by Zhao Songting at the direction of Wu Dacheng, or name Shao Youting. What sources do agree on is who carried it forward: Cheng Shouzhen and Gu Jingzhou are named as its representative makers.

Clays and sizes: sources vs our catalogue

Sources describe the Fanggu as mostly made in zini and original-ore clays such as Dicaoqing, with a typical capacity of about 200 to 360 ml, a pot sized for one hand.

Our eight Fanggu are different on both counts. They run from 70 ml to 200 ml, with a median of about 140 ml, which is a small-gongfu range rather than a one-hand pot. And only one, No. 159 in Zipao Yusha, is in a clay classed as zini. The rest are in Luni (two pots), Longxuesha, Shihong, Golden Duanni, Duanni and Zhuni. If you want the traditional large zini Fanggu, look for it specifically. Most of what we carry is the smaller, gongfu-sized version.

200 ml Fanggu in Shihong clay held in hand — No. 130 — 200 ml Fanggu in Shihong clay, by Hu Xiuping, our largest size.

110 ml Fanggu in Luni clay held in hand — No. 127 — 110 ml Fanggu in Luni clay, by Fan Weibing.

70 ml Fanggu in Zhuni clay held in hand — No. 350 — 70 ml Fanggu in Zhuni clay, our smallest.

How to check a Fanggu

From the side: the belly should swell evenly and the neck should rise a little above it. A body that is simply round, with no neck, loses the drum profile.

From above: the knob should sit dead centre and the lid lines should run in a clean circle.

Lid off: check the three ovals — lid surface, lid body, flange — against each other.

Spout and handle: the spout's two bends should flow without a kink, and the ring handle should rise evenly. The spout and handle should look like they belong together.

Inside: ask for a photo of the filter behind the spout.

Inside a Fanggu teapot in Golden Duanni clay showing the filter behind the spout — Inside No. 353 (Fanggu, Golden Duanni clay, 110 ml).

Ruyi Fanggu in Duanni clay pouring tea into a pitcher — No. 322 — Ruyi Fanggu, Duanni clay, 125 ml, with relief decoration, pouring.

All eight Fanggu in our catalogue

Every pot below has a full photo set on its product page. Click a number to see photos, price and availability.

No.	Variant (as recorded)	Clay	Capacity	Craft	Maker
159	Fanggu	Zipao Yusha	160 ml	Fully handmade	Wang Ting
131	Fanggu	Longxuesha	200 ml	Fully handmade	Hu Xiuping
130	Fanggu	Shihong	200 ml	Fully handmade	Hu Xiuping
118	Fanggu	Luni	200 ml	Fully handmade	Fan Weibing
127	Fanggu	Luni	110 ml	Fully handmade	Fan Weibing
353	Fanggu	Golden Duanni	110 ml	Fully handmade	Workshop potter (unnamed)
350	Fanggu	Zhuni	70 ml	Fully handmade	Workshop potter (unnamed)
322	Ruyi Fanggu	Duanni	125 ml	Fully handmade	Workshop potter (unnamed)