Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 220ml - Shui Ping
A purple clay teapot is a type of handmade pottery originating from Yixing, China. Made from rare and natural purple clay, these teapots are prized for enhancing the flavor and aroma of tea while offering a distinct aesthetic appeal. The unique properties of Zisha (purple clay) make it ideal for brewing fine teas.
The Shui Ping (水平) Design
The "Shui Ping" (meaning "horizontal") is one of the most classic and iconic shapes in Yixing teapot history, originally designed for traditional Gongfu tea ceremonies. Its name comes from its flawless structural balance: the tip of the spout, the rim of the teapot, and the top of the handle all align on a perfect horizontal plane. Traditionally, a well-crafted Shui Ping teapot can float perfectly upright in a bowl of water without tilting. Culturally, it symbolizes harmony, fairness, and a balanced, peaceful state of mind.
This teapot is a masterpiece of minimalist aesthetic. Stripped of all superfluous decoration, its beauty relies entirely on perfect geometric proportions, smooth, flowing lines, and exquisite handmade craftsmanship.
Tianqing Ni (Azure Clay) is the absolute pinnacle of Zisha, revered as the "King of Zi Ni." Authentic Huanglong Mountain ore is no longer mined, which makes it a highly coveted collector’s treasure. Named for its raw grayish-blue state—resembling a sky clearing after rain—it fires into a profound, dark liver-red. When showered with hot water, the clay awakens with a jade-like luster and a subtle, inner cyan glow.
Tianqing Ni (天青泥) Clay
Made from Tianqing Ni, a treasured purple clay revered as the “King of Zi Ni.” Incredibly fine and smooth to the touch, it fires to a deep, dark red with a subtle inner glow, and quickly develops a beautiful patina with regular use. Its breathable, dual-porosity structure softens the water and rounds out the brew.
Key Features
- 220ml capacity — classic gongfu size
- Fully handmade from Tianqing Ni
- Recommended for rich, aged or well-oxidized teas: ripe pu-erh, aged raw pu-erh, dark oolong and aged white tea
A classic Shui Ping for the gongfu tea table — and a fine example of traditional Yixing craftsmanship.
Gongfu style (recommended)
5–7 g of leaf per 100 ml, water at 95–100 °C. Rinse once for about 5 seconds and pour it away. Start with 10–15 second infusions and add a few seconds each round. Good pu-erh gives 10 or more infusions.
Western style
3 g per 250 ml cup, water at 95–100 °C, steep 3–5 minutes.
Storage
Keep the cake in a clean, dry place away from sunlight and strong smells.
Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.
We ship from our warehouses in Canada and China to 100+ countries. Orders from our Canada warehouse are usually packed and shipped within 48 hours. Orders shipped from China need about one week of processing. Delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Some countries charge import duties. These are paid by the buyer.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 15 days. Sale items are final sale.
A purple clay teapot is a type of handmade pottery originating from Yixing, China. Made from rare and natural purple clay, these teapots are prized for enhancing the flavor and aroma of tea while offering a distinct aesthetic appeal. The unique properties of Zisha (purple clay) make it ideal for brewing fine teas.
The Shui Ping (水平) Design
The "Shui Ping" (meaning "horizontal") is one of the most classic and iconic shapes in Yixing teapot history, originally designed for traditional Gongfu tea ceremonies. Its name comes from its flawless structural balance: the tip of the spout, the rim of the teapot, and the top of the handle all align on a perfect horizontal plane. Traditionally, a well-crafted Shui Ping teapot can float perfectly upright in a bowl of water without tilting. Culturally, it symbolizes harmony, fairness, and a balanced, peaceful state of mind.
This teapot is a masterpiece of minimalist aesthetic. Stripped of all superfluous decoration, its beauty relies entirely on perfect geometric proportions, smooth, flowing lines, and exquisite handmade craftsmanship.
Tianqing Ni (Azure Clay) is the absolute pinnacle of Zisha, revered as the "King of Zi Ni." Authentic Huanglong Mountain ore is no longer mined, which makes it a highly coveted collector’s treasure. Named for its raw grayish-blue state—resembling a sky clearing after rain—it fires into a profound, dark liver-red. When showered with hot water, the clay awakens with a jade-like luster and a subtle, inner cyan glow.
Tianqing Ni (天青泥) Clay
Made from Tianqing Ni, a treasured purple clay revered as the “King of Zi Ni.” Incredibly fine and smooth to the touch, it fires to a deep, dark red with a subtle inner glow, and quickly develops a beautiful patina with regular use. Its breathable, dual-porosity structure softens the water and rounds out the brew.
Key Features
- 220ml capacity — classic gongfu size
- Fully handmade from Tianqing Ni
- Recommended for rich, aged or well-oxidized teas: ripe pu-erh, aged raw pu-erh, dark oolong and aged white tea
A classic Shui Ping for the gongfu tea table — and a fine example of traditional Yixing craftsmanship.
Gongfu style (recommended)
5–7 g of leaf per 100 ml, water at 95–100 °C. Rinse once for about 5 seconds and pour it away. Start with 10–15 second infusions and add a few seconds each round. Good pu-erh gives 10 or more infusions.
Western style
3 g per 250 ml cup, water at 95–100 °C, steep 3–5 minutes.
Storage
Keep the cake in a clean, dry place away from sunlight and strong smells.
Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.
We ship from our warehouses in Canada and China to 100+ countries. Orders from our Canada warehouse are usually packed and shipped within 48 hours. Orders shipped from China need about one week of processing. Delivery time depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Some countries charge import duties. These are paid by the buyer.
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 15 days. Sale items are final sale.
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Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 220ml - Shui Ping