Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Bian Xi Shi" | 扁西施 - 150ml
$239.00
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Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Bian Xi Shi" | 扁西施 - 150ml
$239.00
✓ Signed & sealed certificate from the artisan
✓ Handmade in Yixing, China
✓ Handmade in Yixing, China
About the Artisan
Every teapot from Chen Qun Studio is made by Yao Chuanyong. Born in 1986, he has spent fifteen years mastering guang qi (光器), the plain traditional forms with no carving or decoration to hide behind, where every curve, spout and lid must be exactly right.
- Teapot Style: "Bian Xi Shi" | 扁西施
- Material: Original Ore Zhuni (Vermilion Clay) | 原矿朱泥
- Craftsmanship: Fully Handmade | 全手工
- Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China | 中国江苏宜兴
- Capacity: 150 ml
Product Story & Description
The Name: "Bian Xi Shi"
The Xi Shi teapot is famously named after one of the legendary Four Beauties of ancient China, celebrated for its smooth, sensual, and graceful curves. The "Bian" (flattened) variation takes this classic silhouette and lowers its profile. By widening the base and compressing the body, it retains the feminine elegance of the original Xi Shi while adding a sense of grounded stability and quiet sophistication.
Design & Craftsmanship
The design features minimalist perfection: a seamless lid topped with a delicate pearl-like knob, a signature short "sparrow beak" spout for a swift pour, and a classic curved handle. Its wider body allows rolled tea leaves ample room to fully unfurl.
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.
Zhu Ni is characterized by its high density and low porosity. Because of this dense structure, the clay does not absorb the tea's fragrance. Instead, it acts to lock in and retain the delicate aromas of the tea leaves.
Recommendations
Due to its exceptional ability to preserve fragrance, Zhu Ni is perfectly suited for highly aromatic teas. We especially recommend it for light oolongs (such as Tieguanyin and Dancong) and Pu'er. Learn more about Zhu Ni and other clays in our guide to Zisha clay types.
It is a must-have for tea lovers who appreciate minimalist, classic aesthetics and a perfectly smooth pour.