Xishi Yixing Zisha Teapot – Golden Duanni Clay, 230ml

This is a 230 ml xishi teapot in Golden Duanni Clay, wood-fired with hand carving, made in Dingshu, Yixing. Its Chinese name is 西施.

The clay. The duanni that fires brightest — a clear, luminous gold, with an unusually fine and even grain for the family. Deepens from yellow toward amber as it is used, so the colour of the pot and the colour of the liquor start to answer each other. Best on lighter teas where that can be seen.

The form. The Xishi form (西施) dates to the late Ming, attributed to attributed to Xu Youquan. Named for the classical beauty Xi Shi. Round and full-bodied, with a bead knob, a short spout, an inset lid and a reversed handle. The best-known small zhuni form there is — compact, soft-shouldered, and comfortable in one hand.

How it was made. Wood-fired, with carving cut by hand before the firing — so the ash settles into the incised lines.

Size and tea. 230 ml is a sharing pot. It suits a table of four or more, or a long single steep of something you want to drink slowly over an afternoon. Best suited to green tea, raw pu-erh and light oolong.

One honest note on duanni-family clays: because the body is pale and very open, dark and heavily roasted teas can leave uneven marks if the pot is handled with oily hands or left wet. Rinse it, dry it, and keep it to lighter teas and it will come up beautifully.

This pot. Catalogue no. 186, 230 ml, US$120. Photographed individually — the images show the pot you receive.

Made by 吴建强. We buy directly from the workshop rather than through a wholesaler, so the attribution comes with the pot.

New to zisha? Read how to season a Yixing teapot before first use.

Similar teapots

• Hanwa Yixing Zisha Teapot — Golden Duanni Clay, 190 ml, $120
• Palace Lantern Yixing Zisha Teapot — Golden Duanni Clay, 280 ml, $120
• Handmade Xishi Yixing Zisha Teapot — Golden Duanni Clay, 100 ml, $85

Or browse every Golden Duanni pot · more Xishi teapots.