Beijing Yixing purple clay teapot
When it comes to
Zisha, or
purple clay teapot, we usually mean a
traditional pot made from Yixing clay, and commonly used to brew tea.
The name comes from Yixing in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu, and the original place of purple clay teapot production.
Zheng Fu Cao Tang is a shop selling various shapes of clay pots made from teapot masters in Yixing right near a lot of Beijing hotels.
Entering the shop, I was enthralled by its atmosphere. In the middle of the spacious exhibition room, four deep sofas create cozy place for visitors to rest, with a glass display of precious teapots in the center.
Not far away, a traditional rosewood tea table holds a tea set on top while four wooden chair on four sides. Yellow lights, which casted shadows on clay pots lined up on shelves, produced an odd atmosphere.
Some of the teapots are symbols of blessing, like the fish-shaped teapots for wealth or the fruit-shaped pots for good harvest.
The shop also carries a clay pot made by Master Wang Xiaolong. Due to its complex technique, the pot is only for display purposes.
Prices are from RMB 80 to over thousands, according to different skill levels involved.
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