Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Shi Piao" (Stone Ladle) | 石瓢 - 150ml

• Teapot Style: "Shi Piao" (Stone Ladle) | 石瓢
• 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: 150 ml

Product Story & Description

The Name: "Shi Piao"

The "Shi Piao" is one of the most celebrated forms in Yixing teapot making. Its name is often traced to "shi piao," an old word for a stone ladle, and the form became famous in the early 1800s through the scholar-official Chen Mansheng, who designed teapots with the potter Yang Pengnian and had poems carved on them. Its broad base, sloping sides and three small feet give it a calm, triangular stability that collectors have admired for two centuries.

Design & Craftsmanship

The classic Shi Piao silhouette rises from a broad base to a narrower shoulder, resting on three small, rounded feet. A low, gently domed lid carries a bridge-shaped loop knob, while the straight spout and rounded handle balance each other neatly. One side is incised with a spray of bamboo leaves, accompanied by the maker's inscription and seal.

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.