Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Shui Ping" | 水平 - 220ml

• Teapot Style: "Shui Ping" | 水平
• Material: Tianqing Ni | 天青泥
• Craftsmanship: Fully Handmade | 全手工
• Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China | 中国江苏宜兴
• Capacity: 220 ml

Product Story & Description

The Name: "Shui Ping"

The "Shui Ping" (meaning "horizontal") is one of the most classic and iconic shapes in Yixing teapot history, originally designed for traditional Gongfu tea ceremonies. Its name comes from its flawless structural balance: the tip of the spout, the rim of the teapot, and the top of the handle all align on a perfect horizontal plane. Traditionally, a well-crafted Shui Ping teapot can float perfectly upright in a bowl of water without tilting. Culturally, it symbolizes harmony, fairness, and a balanced, peaceful state of mind.

Design, Craftsmanship

This teapot is a masterpiece of minimalist aesthetic. Stripped of all superfluous decoration, its beauty relies entirely on perfect geometric proportions, smooth, flowing lines, and exquisite handmade craftsmanship.

Tianqing Ni (Azure Clay) 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).