Round Yixing pots

The Yixing teapots revolve around two popular shapes, round or square. Round teapots look very elegant and sexy (like a lady) while square pots look rugged and macho (more like a man). Although square teapots are difficult to make (one square pot is worth three round pots), I still love the round Yixing teapots, especially those that come with exaggerated covers that look unusually big compared to the body. With a small round knobs on the covers, the pots look rather out of proportion, but in a way the overall shape of the pots are quite pleasing to the eyes (that's why I use the term 'sexy'). This is what people in the trade called Zuocheu Pots or globular pots. When this design of the pot appeared in the Panama Expo in 1915, it immediately caught the attention of everyone at the Expo because the pot really looked magnificent. It received so much praises and eventually the pot won a gold award and brought fame and recognition to the potter who created the design. The potter was a Yixing native by the name of Chen Xoujen who was active in the 19th century.

A brown clay small globular pot

A purplish clay medium globular pot

If you notice, teapots of conventional designs like the globular pots can stand the test of time. There is a saying in Yixing, one ought to implement changes in designs (be unique and bold in applying changes) in order to survive peer competition. I am not against innovation but basic rules have to be adhered to when designing a pot to avoid losing functionality and practicality. As a result, new-age potters want to  be innovative and creative; and teapots of all sorts of funny shapes are made in the pretext of innovation. These pots do not follow conventional rules when critical parts are designed and positioned. As a result, some of these pots may look good but lack functionality and practicality. For instance, the pot may be difficult to hold (handle too small), tea may not flow out easily from the sprout (hole too small or sprout wrongly placed) or tea leaking everywhere when pouring tea (who know what went wrong). Without functionality, they are just some sorts of pottery art pieces and are no longer suitable as tea-brewing utensils. Even great masters fall into this trap and produce teapots that shaped like an ancient bird, a dog or even a mystical animal that has nothing to do with tea drinking. Generally, teapots should be designed for tea drinkers. As such, they should be made for the sole purpose of brewing a cup of good tea. If the design is unique and the pot is elegantly made without compromising its functionality, then the potter has done a great job.

Teapots of traditional shapes like the globular ones are the best for brewing tea. Thy are also easy to handle as there are no sharp corners or square features that can hinder its movement. Don't forget, these pots can be easily damaged when knocked against something hard. The round design is particularly pleasing to the eyes. It symbolizes smoothness and completeness. The round features is also not boring and it keeps you wanting to probe into the roundness more as if to uncover its inner secrets. 

 

 

 The picture above is another version of the globular shaped teapot. Don't you think it looks very elegant and sexy (like a pregnant lady). To be honest, it is also marvellous for brewing tea (due to its size). The pot was made by Zhou Juefang, a student of Prof Pan Chunfang. The picture below shows my other favourite round pots designed by Xu Xihai. These pots are ideal to brew kung-fu tea due to their small size and round feature. If you want to start tea drinking, be sure to get some round pots to begin your journey into the art and culture of tea drinking.