Hehuan Blossom - Yixing Teapot, QingshuiNi 清水泥 clay
This Yixing teapot is handcrafted by our trusted artist Yuan Weixin. Made from Qingshui Ni (清水泥) clay, it embodies the natural beauty of Yixing’s finest materials. Known for its distinctive reddish-brown hue, fine texture, and excellent breathability, this clay enhances the aroma and flavour of tea, gradually developing a unique patina and deepening character over time.
It follows the Hehuan (合欢) shape, one of the celebrated "Mansheng Eighteen Styles," originally designed by the Qing Dynasty scholar-official and teapot master Chen Mansheng. Inspired by the form of two cymbals joined together, the Hehuan shape symbolises joyful union and harmony. Its rounded, symmetrical form expresses balance, elegance, and a sense of comfort in both appearance and use, reflecting the timeless elegance of Yixing's artistry.
Each component is shaped with meticulous precision, the spout, handle, and lid knob are seamlessly integrated into form, echoing the beauty of tree branches.
The teapot is adorned with exquisite 贴花 (Tiēhuā) embellishments, a decorative technique in which delicate motifs are carefully applied to the surface. While Yuan Weixin shapes each teapot with passion and expertise, these floral patterns were created by Lian Meiping, his wife, and a master of Yixing painting and decoration. Her artistry adds an extra layer of refinement and individuality, making every piece a truly one-of-a-kind work of art.
Capacity: 160 ml
Diameter: 48 mm
Width: 90 mm
Length: 130 mm
Height: 66 mm
Net weight: 157 gr
Note: each yixing is a unique hand-made piece, the sizes indicated above are purely indicative.
The Yixing clay has been known to be the best material for steeping tea for at least one thousand years, and what we use today is the perfected result of a centuries-old artisan tradition.
The central characteristic of a Yixing teapot is its porosity, that frees the tea fragrance and allows a unique seasoning of the pot.
Every time we steep the tea in it, our pot absorbs the tea oils and color, gaining a natural coating that enriches the essential taste of the tea. For this reason it is recommended to steep only one kind of tea in your Yixing pot, rinsing it with pure water, without any soap, and air-drying it.
Before you first use your Yixing pot we advise you to follow an easy and effective procedure, that will ensure the best quality brewing for the years to come:
1- steep few grams of the tea you intend to use with your Yixing teapot in a normal kitchen pot full of water;
2- boil the water for about half of an hour, brewing a very strong tea;
3- remove the tea leaves, leaving a clear brew;
4- wrap your Yixing in a rug or cloth, taking care to wrap its lid in a different piece of cloth. We will boil it in the same pot we have prepared, so we need to ensure the best protection for our Yixing teapot;
5- submerge the Yixing teapot in the strong tea for another half hour;
6- let it cool down naturally, then rinse with fresh water.
Our Yixing teapots come from the studio of Yuan Weixin 袁伟新 and his wife Lian Meiping 连美平, grand-daughter of Luyao Chen, one of the rare 国家级大师, the National Level of Master.
From him they have inherited a priceless stock of the best clay, seasoned through the decades.
Their pieces are fully hand-made, carved and baked multiple times in different kilns, according to the clay and the final results.
ABOUT YUAN WEIXIN 袁伟新
Yuan Weixin has achieved theNational Senior-Master 高级工艺美术师 (国家) level in this art, which can only be mastered through a lifetime of experience; in addition to pottery, he is a calligraphy master and a renown calligraphy teacher.
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
We visit their studio every three months to choose the teapots, and to fulfil our eyes with their creation. They are among the warmest people we have ever met, and living in their studio for few days always restore our mind.
They are happy to customise your tea pot choosing your preferred clay, shape, and carving: write us for booking and further information.
CERTIFICATE OF GUARANTEE
Each teapot is shipped with a certificate of guarantee signed by the artist.
