Context (Found together / assemblage)
The teapot was wrapped in the flannel cloth when it was given to the collector by the artist. The box originally belonged to another teapot but was used by the collector to transport the teapot.
Event Date 2004
Author: rachel hand

Context (Field collection)
Collected in 2004 by Geoffey Gowlland during PhD fieldwork
Event Date 2004
Author: rachel hand

Context (Found together / assemblage)
Object 2004.186, a flannel depicting a teapot with Chinese characters, was also used as packaging inside the box.
Event Date 2004
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson

Context (Production / use)
Dingshu town is known in China as the "pottery capital". Such teapots have been produced in the area at least since the 16th century. They are known as "zisha" or "purple sand" ware, referring to the peculiar hue of one of the types of clay used. Teapots made from the clay found in the region are said to make the best vessels for brewing tea, due to the properties of the clay, in particular its exceptional porosity. This has insured their popularity over the Chinese territory and overseas, in particular in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. They are very rarely glazed, as this would impair the properties of the clay. These tea vessels were the first type of Chinese ceramics to be exported to Europe, during the 17th century, and historically were exported to Thailand and Japan.Zisha teapots are made from sheets of leather-hard clay. In the case of round teapots, the sheet of clay is wrapped around a round base, and "patted" into shape using a round disk or hand-turned wheel.

A peculiarity of the zisha tradition is that, since the 16th century, craftsmen stamp their name on the pot, usually on the base, under the lid and sometimes under the handle. This practice was interrupted during the time of the Cultural Revolution, where only the stamps of work units could be applied to pots. There are four main designs in Yixing pottery, round, square, ribbed, and naturalistic (made to resemble trees, fruit, vegetables or animals). Basic criteria for evaluating a pot are: balance, in particular the handle and spout should aesthetically balance each other out; harmony of the different elements (body, lid, handle and spout); technique, for instance spout and handle should be exactly aligned, and the lid should fit perfectly; quality of the clay.(bio): Ge Taozhong has the title of master at provincial level. He was a student of Gu Jingzhou, the most important master of the 20th century. He is one of the few to still use certain traditional techniques and tools – including the traditional wooden disk, that is now largely replaced by commercially made metal hand-turned wheels.

The pot is made with many different tools, each for use on a different part of the pot, and most custom made for a specific teapot design. This is why Gu Jingzhou taught that a potter needs to be able to make his own tools. Tools are made of bamboo, metal and stone, and one, the pian, is a slither of an ox’s horn, that becomes very flexible when wet, and is used to smooth surfaces.Most of Ge Taozhong’s teapots are primarily made to be functional. Such a pot is used for the preparation of gongfu tea, which requires great mastery and knowledge of the process of brewing tea to fully bring out its flavour. The small size of the pot is to economise and get the best out of the tea that can be very expensive. It might be used to serve three or four cups. The spout is kept small to ensure the last drop is not wasted. This pot is meant to remain completely level when floated on water; this was one of Gu Jingzhou’s criteria for making a good, perfectly balanced pot.The object is accompanied by two calling cards, one for the artist Yao Zhi Yuan - the other (in Chinese) has the same phone number and depicts a teaset.

Event Date 2004
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Round teapot, designed to be used for the preparation of gongfu tea. The seal on the base reads "Taozhong", and the one under the lid reads "Ge" (respectively the given name and family name of the artist). The line of the body was inspired by an item of ancient Chinese earthenware. “A: teapot. Pot and lid made from fine, dark brown pottery. In addition to the seal on the base, there is an etched inscription in Chinese characters. The inscription says that the pot given to the Museum by the artist, gives the name of the material (zisha), says that the design was adapted from a tradional design and that the pot was made entirely by hand, and gives the production date (Spring 2004) and the name of the artist.B: lid. C: box and packaging. The teapot is packed in its own cardboard box covered with red and black paper. Inside the box, the teapot is supported by a polysyrene stand coverered with a bright yellow synthetic silk fabric. The front of the box has been damaged by the removal of adhesive tape . T.Cadbury, 7/6/2004.”
Event Date 2004
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Round teapot, designed to be used for the preparation of gongfu tea. The seal on the base reads 'Taozhong', and the one under the lid reads 'Ge' (respectively the given name and family name of the artist). Pot and lid made from fine, dark brown pottery, there is an etched inscription in Chinese characters. The inscription says that the pot given to the Museum by the artist, gives the name of the material (zisha), says that the design was adapted from a traditional design and that the pot was made entirely by hand, and gives the production date (Spring 2004) and the name of the artist.
Event Date 8/2/2018
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson