Xu Jianguo's (徐建国) gong chun pot

Xu Jianguo (徐建国), currently a craftsmaster in Yixing. He made this teapot probably when he was still a trainee at the factory. The gong chun pot is a design most trainee potter would like to practice to improve their skills in shaping the rough texture on the teapot. This particular gong chun pot is different from the others as the handle on the pot is longer. This gives the use a firm grip on the pot while using it make tea. Unlike other gong chun pots, the handle is shorter. The user has to be extra careful not to drop the teapot while serving tea. This is innovation for better efficiency.

Alans Museum again acquired this piece when the potter was still a trainee, the price was a lot cheaper compared to the market price of current master's  work.

Xu's improved design (徐建国)

Traditonal design of the gong chun pot

徐建国， 工艺美术师，中国工艺美术师（制壶/造型设计）。 1995年首次审核通过。紫砂二厂高级工艺美术师，江苏省陶瓷行业协会陶瓷艺术委员会副秘书长。

1981年高中毕业被招进紫砂二厂，安排在成型技艺班学习制壶，师从王振国，1985年被选派参加江苏省轻工业厅举办的工艺美术培训班，历时半年，得益匪浅，由于天资聪明，勤奋好学，很快在众多学员中脱颖而出，同年被挑选进厂研究所，跟随在徐汉棠身边进一步学习造型设计。在大师的亲切关怀和悉心教导下，在紫砂工艺的制作技法和创作手法上有了更大提高。创作的多个新品相继入选参加港澳台地区展览，获得一致好评，深得海内外客商喜爱，成为当时紫砂界最具潜力的青年陶艺家。

1990年被评为全市最年轻工艺师，1993年任紫砂二厂副厂长，成为厂里的技术骨干和管理力量，且专业技艺日益见长，力求变化创新，富有时代气息，技法俊秀细腻，逐渐形成独特的风格，传统紫砂壶的光货、花货均拎得起，创新作品也屡屡获奖，他的紫砂作品一大特点就是工艺精湛、质朴大气、形神皆备，气势不凡，受到了玩家收藏家一致好评。