Context (Acquisition Details)
Made by Yao Zhiyuan, born in 1971, has the title of arts and crafts master. He is the son of much renowned master Wang Yinxian, and his style is reminiscent of hers, characterised by rounded and full shapes, and mastery in the imitation of natural shapes.
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 (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.
Event Date 2004
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Teapot of "ribbed" design. The body reproduces the shape of a pumpkin, the handle a piece of the stalk, and the spout a leaf. Stamps giving the name of the maker on the base, under the lid (twice) and under the handle.“A: Teapot. Pot and lid made of dark red-brown pottery with pale flecks.B: Lid.C: Box and packaging. The teapot is packed in its own box with tissue paper. The box is cardboard with a textured exterior. Inside the bottom of the box and the underside of the lid are padded squares of bright yellow synthetic silk. The upper square has an orange ribbon across one corner. On the top of the lid, ‘Masterware Chinaware’ is inscribed in silver-coloured writing, in English and Chinese. A piece of paper has been adhered to the box lid on which Chinese characters have been written by hand, giving the name of the pot. 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)
Teapot of 'ribbed' design. The body reproduces the shape of a pumpkin, the handle a piece of the stalk, and the spout a leaf. Stamps giving the name of the maker on the base, under the lid (twice) and under the handle. The pot and lid are made of dark red-brown pottery with pale flecks.
Event Date 8/2/2018
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson