This exclusive teapot design was commissioned by us from the artist directly, yet it could have been over a thousand years old. We visited Master Ren Yi-Xin in his Yixing atelier, showing the profile we wanted and selecting the ore together, specifically requesting a small volume with a proper spout for quick brewing.

A flat Xishi profile is paired with an even flatter lid; the handle and the knob are suitable for both delicate and bulky fingers, an unmistakable sign of masterful craftsmanship. The humble, yet elegant design, true to its namesake concubine Xishi, provides testimony of eternal beauty. In contrast, the flatter-than-usual design makes the pot appear a bit less pretentious than the more rounded regular style. The teapot allows placing large leaves in the wide mouth, flash brewing with a high leaf-to-water ratio, and a quick pour, filtered by a built-in larger-than-usual net filter.

Avid customers and long-time friends of Nannuoshan may have noticed that the design has been inspired by our hallmark pot, which has been prominently featured on our homepage for a decade. So one could certainly speak of an anniversary edition here. Thus, among all of the rare and distant finds at our shop, this is one we can guarantee you won't find anywhere else.

The Lao Zhuni ore has been processed to achieve a relatively rough surface, featuring a classic base color with tiny orange and black speckles that beautifully complement the shape and motif. This pot is also available in Zini clay, which is slightly larger due to its lower shrinkage rate during firing, and features a smoother surface.

About the artist

Ren Yi-Xin, a young potter from Dingshan, Yixing, grew up immersed in the rich Zisha culture of his hometown, cultivating a deep passion for this traditional art form. He refined his craft under the guidance of esteemed Yixing pottery master Xu Meiping, dedicating himself to the creation and design of Zisha teapots.

Through years of meticulous practice, Ren Yi-Xin has mastered the art of blending technical precision with artistic expression. His works are distinguished by their adherence to traditional forms, refined lines, and a seamless balance of practicality and beauty.

The clay

The precious Lao Zhuni (老朱泥) is a rare red ore extracted from the now closed mine in Xiaomeiyao (小煤窑), among the most famous sites for Yixing ore extraction. This Zhuni is particularly rare because the clay has been aged fore many years before being shaped into a teapot and fired, soaking and tempering the material. The suffix "lao" ("old" in Mandarin) refers to the long storage.

Zhuni shrinks significantly during firing, and the resultant density and superior heat retention recommends it for use with aromatic teas or those brewed with the hottest water, such as rolled oolongs or black teas.

Why do I need a Yixing teapot?

The material and the shape of Yixing teapots are ideal for brewing tea. They bring out the tea flavor like no other tea vessel. Hand-made Yixing teapots are also valuable handicrafts sought after by collectors. Their value raises with time, usage and artist popularity.

Yixing teapots are made of a rare and depleting clay mined in the mountains near Yixing, a city in the Jiangsu province. The high density yet porous nature of the clay absorbs the smell of the tea brewed in it. For this reason, it is advised to use the pot with only one kind of tea (for instance with black teas or green teas). Bring your tea to the next level; allow yourself an authentic Yixing teapot.