Yixing Clay and Shape Guide Index

Every Yixing clay behaves differently once it meets hot water, and the same clay behaves differently again depending on the shape it is thrown into. This index maps each clay we stock or document against the classic shapes it is most often made in. Entries marked in stock currently have pots available.

Zini / Purple Clay Family

The workhorse family. Iron-rich, forgiving on the wheel, and porous enough to build patina quickly — this is where most collectors start.

Aged Zini (28 in stock)

• Aged Zini Hanwa
• Aged Zini Longdan
• Aged Zini Rongtian
• Aged Zini Shipiao
• Aged Zini Xishi

Aged Zini Ribbed

• Aged Zini Ribbed Form

Aged Zini Sculptural

• Aged Zini Sculptural Form

Aged Zini Square

• Aged Zini Square Form

Chijin Zini (10 in stock)

• Chijin Zini Hanwa
• Chijin Zini Pan Hu
• Chijin Zini Rongtian
• Chijin Zini Shipiao

Dicaoqing Zini (11 in stock)

• Dicaoqing Zini Dezhong
• Dicaoqing Zini Fanggu
• Dicaoqing Zini Hanwa
• Dicaoqing Zini Shipiao

Dicaoqing Zini Sculptural

• Dicaoqing Zini Sculptural Form

Dicaoqing Zini Square

• Dicaoqing Zini Square Form

Zini (15 in stock)

• Zini Dezhong
• Zini Fanggu
• Zini Hanwa
• Zini Lianzi
• Zini Longdan
• Zini Pan Hu
• Zini Rongtian
• Zini Xishi

Zini Ribbed

• Zini Ribbed Form

Zini Sculptural

• Zini Sculptural Form

Zini Square

• Zini Square Form

Zhuni / Red Clay Family

High shrinkage, high risk in the kiln, and the tightest particle structure of the common clays. Small pots dominate here for a reason.

Dahongpao (25 in stock)

• Dahongpao Dezhong
• Dahongpao Hanwa
• Dahongpao Longdan
• Dahongpao Pan Hu
• Dahongpao Shipiao
• Dahongpao Shuiping

Golden Zhuni (11 in stock)

• Golden Zhuni Dezhong
• Golden Zhuni Pan Hu
• Golden Zhuni Shuiping

Reduction-Fired Zhuni (6 in stock)

• Reduction-Fired Zhuni Pan Hu
• Reduction-Fired Zhuni Qinquan

Zhuni (43 in stock)

• Zhuni Dezhong
• Zhuni Fanggu
• Zhuni Gongchun
• Zhuni Hanwa
• Zhuni Lianzi
• Zhuni Longdan
• Zhuni Pan Hu
• Zhuni Qinquan
• Zhuni Rongtian
• Zhuni Shuiping
• Zhuni Xishi

Zhuni Ribbed

• Zhuni Ribbed Form

Zhuni Sculptural

• Zhuni Sculptural Form

Zhuni Square

• Zhuni Square Form

Duanni / Buff Clay Family

Lighter in colour and more open in structure. Reads cooler in the hand and shows tea staining faster than the purple clays.

Aged Duanni (22 in stock)

• Aged Duanni Shipiao

Aged Duanni Sculptural

• Aged Duanni Sculptural Form

Aged Duanni Square

• Aged Duanni Square Form

Baiyu Duanni (13 in stock)

• Baiyu Duanni Longdan
• Baiyu Duanni Rongtian

Baiyu Duanni Sculptural

• Baiyu Duanni Sculptural Form

Golden Duanni (64 in stock)

• Golden Duanni Dezhong
• Golden Duanni Fanggu
• Golden Duanni Gongchun
• Golden Duanni Hanwa
• Golden Duanni Pan Hu
• Golden Duanni Rongtian
• Golden Duanni Shuiping
• Golden Duanni Xishi

Golden Duanni Ribbed

• Golden Duanni Ribbed Form

Golden Duanni Sculptural

• Golden Duanni Sculptural Form

Golden Duanni Square

• Golden Duanni Square Form

Qing Duanni Sculptural

• Qing Duanni Sculptural Form

Jiangponi Family

Weathered surface ore from the slope deposits. Coarser inclusions, warmer tone, and a texture that photographs poorly but handles well.

Jiangponi (33 in stock)

• Jiangponi Dezhong
• Jiangponi Gongchun
• Jiangponi Hanwa
• Jiangponi Longdan
• Jiangponi Qinquan
• Jiangponi Rongtian
• Jiangponi Shipiao
• Jiangponi Shuiping

Jiangponi Ribbed

• Jiangponi Ribbed Form

Jiangponi Sculptural

• Jiangponi Sculptural Form

Qing Jiangponi (10 in stock)

• Qing Jiangponi Hanwa
• Qing Jiangponi Qinquan
• Qing Jiangponi Rongtian