Hanwa Yixing Zisha Teapot – Aged Zini Clay, 80ml

This is a 80 ml hanwa teapot in Aged Zini Clay, wood-fired with hand carving, made in Dingshu, Yixing. Its Chinese name is 如梦令汉瓦.

The clay. Zini ore that has been weathered and stored for years before use. The saying in Yixing is that clay grows more supple with age — aged zini works more smoothly on the wheel and fires to a deeper, more settled purple. Mellower than fresh zini. The liquor comes through soft and rounded rather than bright, which is why long-time drinkers tend to gravitate to older stock.

The form. The Hanwa form (汉瓦) dates to the Qing dynasty. Modelled on Han-dynasty roof-end tiles, which were stamped with auspicious phrases such as 'may joy never end'. The body is cylindrical with flat shoulders and a straight wall. Firm, architectural lines. Takes a patina in a way that brings out an almost metallic depth.

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. At 80 ml this is a solo pot. One person, short infusions, and the small volume means you can push a good leaf through eight or ten steeps without ever brewing more than you drink. Best suited to ripe pu-erh, aged white tea and black tea.

This pot. Catalogue no. 244, 80 ml, US$450. Photographed individually — the images show the pot you receive.

Made by an independent Dingshu potter working outside the titled-master system. We do not attach a name we cannot verify.

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

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Or browse every Aged Zini pot · more Hanwa teapots.