Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 220ml - Shui Ping
- Clay
- Tianqing Ni
- Capacity
- 220 ml
- Shape
- Shui Ping
- Made
- Fully handmade in Yixing, Jiangsu
- Best for
- Ripe & aged pu-erh
Not sure this is your pot? Take the 3-question Teapot Finder
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.
Before first use: rinse the pot inside and out with water just off the boil, then brew two or three rounds of the tea you plan to keep in it.
Every day: rinse with hot water only. No soap, no dishwasher, no stove or microwave. Empty the leaves soon after brewing and let the pot dry with the lid off.
One pot, one tea: the unglazed clay slowly takes on the character of what you brew, so keep this pot for one style of pu-erh.
Match the clay to your tea and the size to the people at your table. Each pot is shaped by hand, so small differences from the photos in color, surface and proportion are normal.
Teapot Finder · Yixing teapot guide · Clay guide · Shapes guide
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.
- Clay
- Tianqing Ni
- Capacity
- 220 ml
- Shape
- Shui Ping
- Made
- Fully handmade in Yixing, Jiangsu
- Best for
- Ripe & aged pu-erh
Not sure this is your pot? Take the 3-question Teapot Finder
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.
Before first use: rinse the pot inside and out with water just off the boil, then brew two or three rounds of the tea you plan to keep in it.
Every day: rinse with hot water only. No soap, no dishwasher, no stove or microwave. Empty the leaves soon after brewing and let the pot dry with the lid off.
One pot, one tea: the unglazed clay slowly takes on the character of what you brew, so keep this pot for one style of pu-erh.
Match the clay to your tea and the size to the people at your table. Each pot is shaped by hand, so small differences from the photos in color, surface and proportion are normal.
Teapot Finder · Yixing teapot guide · Clay guide · Shapes guide
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