ZiNi

Shui Ping is a timeless design piece. This 110ml teapot is made of 20-year-old purple clay, Zi Ni. Aging the clay is a lengthy process that enhances the properties of the famous purple clay. Aging the clay helps the material mature: the particles break down more evenly, the moisture distribution stabilizes, and the clay becomes more homogeneous. It accounts for a warmer, more vibrant color and a better overall look and feel of the finished product.

Li Xing form is considered one of the most classic and time-honored shapes in Yixing pot making. This 110ml teapot is crafted from ZiNi clay from Huang Long Mountain (黄龙山) – the very core area of Yixing clay production. What gives this teapot its unusual black appearance is not paint or glaze but the result of a reduction firing process. It is finished with Sa Jin (紫砂洒金) – a traditional decorative technique that dots the surface with touches of gold, creating a contrast against the dark clay.

Qin Quan is one of the classic Yixing shapes, inspired by the bronze weights used during the Qin dynasty. This 180ml Yixing teapot has a fast pour and is made from ZiNi – slightly porous Yixing purple clay that gently softens rough edges in the tea while keeping the aroma clear and focused. The outside of the teapot is finished with HeiNi – another Yixing clay that fires to a deep black tone. This Qin Quan also features the classic Taotie (饕餮) mask motif.

This 140ml teapot is made of purple clay from the delta of the Yangtze River, aka Yixing clay or Zi Sha. Zi Ni clay is unique for its porosity and high iron content, which can affect tea taste by reducing astringency and bitterness. The shape is the classical Xi Shi (西施). Xi Shi was a famous beauty of ancient China. The shape resembles her full, round face, the spout looks like a mouth, gentle and graceful, and the handle resembles her elegant hair bun.

In the set: Yixing Teapot (Zi Sha: Zi Ni), and two sets of matching Yixing Clay Zi Ni Aroma Teacups. Compared to glass, porcelain, glazed teapots, or even other ZiSha clays, ZiNi clay enhances the flavors and aromas of tea by reducing bitterness and astringency.