Handmade Yixing Zisha Teapot "Ru Yi Shi Piao" (Ruyi Stone Ladle) | 如意石瓢 - 160ml

• Teapot Style: "Ru Yi Shi Piao" (Ruyi Stone Ladle) | 如意石瓢
• Material: Zhu Ni (Vermilion Clay) | 朱泥
• Craftsmanship: Handmade | 手工
• Origin: Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China | 中国江苏宜兴
• Capacity: 160 ml

Product Story & Description

The Name: "Ru Yi Shi Piao"

The "Shi Piao" is one of the most celebrated forms in Yixing teapot making, made famous in the early 1800s by the scholar Chen Mansheng and the potter Yang Pengnian. Its broad base, sloping sides and three small feet give it a calm, triangular stability. "Ru Yi" means "as you wish" and names a curved scepter with a cloud-shaped head, an emblem of good fortune. This version adds that blessing to a time-honored classic.

Design & Craftsmanship

The Shi Piao body rises from a broad base to a narrower shoulder and rests on three small feet. The flat lid carries a bridge-shaped knob with ruyi-cloud heads, and the angular, triangular handle mirrors the pot's sloping sides. One side is incised with a gnarled pine tree, its bark and needles rendered in fine detail, signed with the maker's inscription and seal.

The Clay: Zhu Ni

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.

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 Yixing clays in our guide to Zisha clay types.