Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 130ml - Ming Lu (Ming Dynasty Stove)
- Capacity
- 130 ml
- Shape
- Ming Lu
- Made
- Fully handmade in Yixing, Jiangsu
- Best for
- Raw 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 Ming Lu (明炉) Design
The name "Ming Lu" translates directly to "Ming Dynasty Stove." Its shape is heavily inspired by the traditional, elegant bronze stoves used for brewing tea or burning incense during the Ming Dynasty. It symbolizes warmth, stability, and the peaceful gathering of friends around a warm hearth.
This 130ml teapot embodies the beauty of minimalist geometric design. It features a wide, flat, and stable base with a low-profile body, giving it a grounded and serene presence. The short, straight spout ensures a powerful and crisp pour, while the classic loop handle offers a comfortable, ergonomic grip.
Zhu Ni (along with the broader Hong Ni family) is known for its delicate texture and striking appearance. After firing, it features a beautiful color that ranges from bright orange to deep red. When showered with hot water, the clay beautifully comes alive, quickly flushing to a vibrant, bright red that sometimes exhibits a subtle, wandering purple glow.
Original Ore Zhuni (原矿朱泥) Clay
Made from original ore Zhuni, a natural vermilion clay from Yixing. After firing, it shows a striking color ranging from bright orange to deep red, and flushes to a vivid red when rinsed with hot water. Dense and fine-textured, Zhuni presents a tea’s aroma cleanly and holds heat well through the brew.
Key Features
- 130ml capacity — classic gongfu size
- Fully handmade from Original Ore Zhuni
- Recommended for aromatic teas: young raw pu-erh, light oolongs such as Tieguanyin and Dancong, and black tea
A classic Ming Lu 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.
- Capacity
- 130 ml
- Shape
- Ming Lu
- Made
- Fully handmade in Yixing, Jiangsu
- Best for
- Raw 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 Ming Lu (明炉) Design
The name "Ming Lu" translates directly to "Ming Dynasty Stove." Its shape is heavily inspired by the traditional, elegant bronze stoves used for brewing tea or burning incense during the Ming Dynasty. It symbolizes warmth, stability, and the peaceful gathering of friends around a warm hearth.
This 130ml teapot embodies the beauty of minimalist geometric design. It features a wide, flat, and stable base with a low-profile body, giving it a grounded and serene presence. The short, straight spout ensures a powerful and crisp pour, while the classic loop handle offers a comfortable, ergonomic grip.
Zhu Ni (along with the broader Hong Ni family) is known for its delicate texture and striking appearance. After firing, it features a beautiful color that ranges from bright orange to deep red. When showered with hot water, the clay beautifully comes alive, quickly flushing to a vibrant, bright red that sometimes exhibits a subtle, wandering purple glow.
Original Ore Zhuni (原矿朱泥) Clay
Made from original ore Zhuni, a natural vermilion clay from Yixing. After firing, it shows a striking color ranging from bright orange to deep red, and flushes to a vivid red when rinsed with hot water. Dense and fine-textured, Zhuni presents a tea’s aroma cleanly and holds heat well through the brew.
Key Features
- 130ml capacity — classic gongfu size
- Fully handmade from Original Ore Zhuni
- Recommended for aromatic teas: young raw pu-erh, light oolongs such as Tieguanyin and Dancong, and black tea
A classic Ming Lu 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 130ml - Ming Lu (Ming Dynasty Stove)