Masterpiece Yixing Zisha Purple Clay Jing Lan Teapot Hand-ground Zini

Jing Lan teapot, meaning well wall, is one of the original Man Sheng's eighteen zisha styles (曼生十八式) and is beloved by many teapot lovers. The story is said that Man Sheng, the county supervisor of Suyang during the Jia Qing era (Qing dynasty) was good friends with the Zisha master Cheng Peng Nian, and together they created this teapot. One day they were sitting at Man Sheng's mansion, and a young servant girl was fetching water from a well in the courtyard. The well had a high protective wall, and the girl was trying to fetch water from the deep well. She tried so hard that her body was bent like a rainbow. This scene inspired the two masters that they came up with an idea of making a teapot. The body of the teapot would imitate the well wall and the handle would be shaped like the young girl's rainbow-like bend, and they named the teapot "Jing Lan". 

The ancient saying of "drinking water, have gratitude for the source" (饮水思源) is an important attitude and wisdom in traditional Chinese culture. Fetching well water implies that knowledge is as deep as well water, and it would never be used up. 

This design of this teapot is based on the traditional style of Jing Lan, but raised a second tier to give it a more dignified look. The curved lines of the handle, spout, and the body shapes are so smooth, yet in harmony, with aesthetic beauty of simplicity and elegance. The coarse texture of the clay also gives this teapot a pristine feel and an aura of openness and giving. 

The very essence of the teapot is not only expressed in its exquisite form, but also in the visual texture of the clay material. Zisha clay particle has a grading system for the refinement of the clay material called Mu (目数) or mesh number. The bigger number of Mu, the finer the ground are the particles of the clay material. This pot has 12 Mu, compared to the normal Zisha clay of 40-60 Mu. Master Yu personally hand-ground the clay material, so the clay has a relatively coarse or larger particle texture as opposed to machine-ground fine clay as you can see on the pictures. Because it is hand-ground, this is the most porous material and utmost breathability of a Zisha clay. A high caliber clay material that Zisha collectors love to pursue.  

This teapot is an original work and completely handcrafted by senior master Yu who holds the highest level senior master certification by China's Arts and Crafts governing authority (国高工). Master Yu was born in 1969 in Yixing, Jiangshu province. He started to craft Zisha teapots in 1991 and has been learning crafting skills from the great master Fan Hong Quan (范洪泉). He is passionate about Zisha art. He also teaches Zisha crafting at the Jiangshu United Vocational School. 

Capacity:   270ml / 9.12oz.

Clay: Hand grinded Yellow Dragon Mountain Zi Ni (深井紫泥)

Senior master: Yu Weijie