Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Pao Zun" (Gourd Vessel) | 匏樽 - 240ml

• Teapot Style: "Pao Zun" (Gourd Vessel) | 匏樽
• Material: Di Cao Qing (Bottom-Seam Purple Clay) | 底槽青
• Craftsmanship: Handmade | 手工
• Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China | 中国江苏宜兴
• Capacity: 240 ml

Product Story & Description

The Name: "Pao Zun"

"Pao Zun" means a wine vessel made from a dried gourd. The phrase comes from the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi, whose famous "Ode to the Red Cliff" pictures friends drifting on a river, raising gourd cups to toast one another under the moon. For scholars, the gourd vessel came to stand for a simple, carefree life spent among good friends and beautiful scenery. This teapot carries that same spirit of easy hospitality to the tea table.

Design & Craftsmanship

The body is a wide, sturdy cylinder that flares gently toward its base, giving the pot a low, grounded stance. A flat lid with a neat loop knob sits snugly on top, and the handle is crowned with a small sculpted ornament. One side is finely incised with a fruit-laden branch and its leaves, accompanied by the maker's inscription and seal. At 240 ml, it is a generous size for sharing tea.

The Clay: Di Cao Qing

Di Cao Qing (Bottom-Seam Purple Clay) is one of the most treasured varieties of Zini, the classic purple clay of Yixing. Its name comes from where it lies. The ore forms a thin layer at the very bottom (Di) of the purple clay seam (Cao), and in its raw state it has a faint bluish-green tinge (Qing). Because it makes up only a small part of each seam, it has always been valued more highly than ordinary Zini.

After firing, Di Cao Qing turns a deep, dignified purple-brown, sometimes with a subtle bluish undertone. The surface is scattered with fine, pale mineral specks, a texture tea lovers call "Li Pi" (pear skin). The clay is dense yet breathable. With regular use, the surface absorbs the tea's oils and slowly takes on a rich, jade-like luster. The more you brew, the more beautiful it becomes.

Like all Zini clays, Di Cao Qing has excellent breathability and a unique dual-porosity structure, which make it exceptionally versatile. It gently rounds out astringency and elevates the complex flavors of roasted oolongs, Pu'er and black teas.

Learn more about Di Cao Qing and other Yixing clays in our guide to Zisha clay types.