Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Li Xing" (Pear Shape) | 梨形 - 230ml

• Teapot Style: "Li Xing" (Pear Shape) | 梨形
• Material: Original Ore Tianqing Ni | 原矿天青泥
• Craftsmanship: Fully Handmade | 全手工
• Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China | 中国江苏宜兴
• Capacity: 230 ml

Product Story & Description

The Name & Cultural Meaning

"Li Xing" directly translates to "Pear Shape." This is one of the most classic and enduring shapes in the history of Yixing teapots, originating during the Ming Dynasty. Pears have historically been viewed as elegant and refined fruits in Chinese culture. The bottom-heavy design symbolizes stability, groundedness, and completeness, making it a favorite among scholars and tea masters for centuries.

Design & Craftsmanship

This teapot is a masterpiece of minimalist elegance. True to its name, the body swells at the base and tapers gracefully toward the lid, perfectly mimicking the organic curves of a ripe pear. The seamlessly integrated lid, gracefully curved spout, and rounded handle offer a comfortable, balanced grip and a powerful, smooth pour.

Tianqing Ni is the absolute pinnacle of Zisha, revered as the "King of Zi Ni." Nearly depleted since the late Qing Dynasty (early 20 century), authentic Huanglong Mountain ore is a highly coveted collector’s treasure. Named for its raw grayish-blue state—resembling a sky clearing after rain—it fires into a profound, dark liver-red. When showered with hot water, the clay awakens with a jade-like luster and a subtle, inner cyan glow.

Unlike the granular feel of regular Zi Ni, Tianqing Ni is incredibly fine and smooth. Its silk-like texture beautifully absorbs tea oils, quickly developing a stunning patina (Bao Jiang). Functionally, its dual-porosity structure excels at "softening" water far beyond ordinary clay. It breathes with the tea, naturally absorbing harshness to elevate the brew into a profoundly rich, velvety mouthfeel.

Recommended For

Tianqing Ni is perfectly suited for rich, aged, or heavily oxidized teas. We highly recommend pairing Tianqing Ni teapots with: Dark Oolong, Pu'er teas (both Raw and Ripe), Aged White Teas, and Heavily Roasted Oolongs (such as Wuyi Rock Tea).