This exclusive teapot design was commissioned by us from the artist directly. 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 Zini ore this pot is made of offers a rich color that beautifully complements the shape and motif. This pot is also available made of Lao Zhuni clay, just a tiny bit smaller due to the different degrees of shrinkage of that ore during firing.

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

This teapot is made from dark Zini clay (Zi Qie Nie, 紫茄泥), a dark brown ore extracted from the famous mountain Huanglong shan (黄龙山) and ground with water.

Zini reacts with tea brewed within it, smoothing out astringency, and is therefore ideal for steeping black teas and post-fermented Pu'er (Shu Pu'er); it is also a very good match for roasted and aged oolong 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.