Handmade Yixing Purple Clay (Zisha) Teapot 150ml / 200ml - Xi Shi
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 Xi Shi (西施壶) Design
Named after Xi Shi, the most renowned of the Four Beauties of ancient China, this teapot is celebrated for its graceful and elegant curves. The rounded, full body is designed to embody classical feminine beauty, softness, and purity, making it one of the most iconic, enduring, and beloved shapes in Yixing Zisha history.
This 200ml teapot perfectly showcases the minimalist beauty of the classic Xi Shi design. It features a seamless flush lid (Jie Gai), a delicate short spout that ensures a smooth pour, and an elegant inverted ear-shaped handle. It is fully hand-crafted from the highly prized Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni, a premium and rare red clay famous for its high shrinkage rate and extreme difficulty to fire. The resulting teapot boasts a rich, natural reddish hue and a finely textured surface that will develop a stunning, glass-like gloss (patina) over time with daily use.
Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni (小煤窑朱泥) Clay
Crafted from Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni, a prized vermilion clay from Yixing. This clay is known for its high shrinkage during firing, which demands great skill to shape fully by hand without warping. It fires to a smooth, lustrous, warm reddish-orange surface that develops a rich patina with regular use.
Key Features
- Available in 150ml / 200ml — classic gongfu sizes
- Fully handmade from Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni (Premium Vermilion Clay)
- Recommended for aromatic teas: young raw pu-erh, light oolongs such as Tieguanyin and Dancong, and black tea
A classic Xi Shi 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 Xi Shi (西施壶) Design
Named after Xi Shi, the most renowned of the Four Beauties of ancient China, this teapot is celebrated for its graceful and elegant curves. The rounded, full body is designed to embody classical feminine beauty, softness, and purity, making it one of the most iconic, enduring, and beloved shapes in Yixing Zisha history.
This 200ml teapot perfectly showcases the minimalist beauty of the classic Xi Shi design. It features a seamless flush lid (Jie Gai), a delicate short spout that ensures a smooth pour, and an elegant inverted ear-shaped handle. It is fully hand-crafted from the highly prized Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni, a premium and rare red clay famous for its high shrinkage rate and extreme difficulty to fire. The resulting teapot boasts a rich, natural reddish hue and a finely textured surface that will develop a stunning, glass-like gloss (patina) over time with daily use.
Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni (小煤窑朱泥) Clay
Crafted from Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni, a prized vermilion clay from Yixing. This clay is known for its high shrinkage during firing, which demands great skill to shape fully by hand without warping. It fires to a smooth, lustrous, warm reddish-orange surface that develops a rich patina with regular use.
Key Features
- Available in 150ml / 200ml — classic gongfu sizes
- Fully handmade from Xiao Mei Yao Zhuni (Premium Vermilion Clay)
- Recommended for aromatic teas: young raw pu-erh, light oolongs such as Tieguanyin and Dancong, and black tea
A classic Xi Shi 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 150ml / 200ml - Xi Shi