Aoxuan Bao, in his book Famous Teapot Illustrations, likens the zisha teapot to various ordinary people: “as warm and refined as a gentleman, as bold and unbridled as a man, as graceful as a poet, as elegant as a lady, as reserved as a hermit, as carefree as a youth, as short and stout as a dwarf, as simple and honest as a benevolent person, as ethereal as a fairy, as upright as a nobleman, as unconventional as a monk.”
Each teapot is like a different individual, possessing its own unique temperament.
Men and women have different preferences and pursuits when it comes to zisha. The following ten Teapots are particularly suitable for men, exuding a full dose of masculine charm!
Qin Quan
After Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, he standardized measurements. “Quan” referred to the weights used on a scale; the “Qin Quan” teapot imitates this shape.
The body of the teapot stands tall, narrowing gracefully from bottom to top, creating a natural and fluid line. The lid knob is a flattened arc, which elongates the vertical space. The cover is flush with the rim, merging seamlessly with the body of the pot.
Dragon-Headed Bamboo-Bound Teapot
A rare imperial zisha piece from the Qing dynasty, Emperor Daoguang commissioned the creation of ritual vessels to celebrate the suppression of Zhang Gerge's rebellion.
The Imperial Household Department presented hundreds of vessels, none of which satisfied the emperor, except for Shao Daheng's “Octagonal Dragon-Headed Bamboo-Bound Teapot,” which delighted him greatly.
The Imperial Household Department presented hundreds of vessels, none of which satisfied the emperor, except for Shao Daheng's “Octagonal Dragon-Headed Bamboo-Bound Teapot,” which delighted him greatly.
The Dezhong Teapot, created by the Qing dynasty zisha master Shao Daheng, is one of the best examples of a plain and simple teapot design. Its shape is simple and unadorned, a departure from the ornate style favored by the Qing imperial court.
The Dezhong, also known as Zhongde, is a musical instrument used in rituals. The vessel for the sound of the bell is used in royal ceremonies to praise virtue.
The Dezhong Teapot, with its virtues of simplicity and frugality, inspires a sense of righteousness upon contemplation, evoking feelings of Respect and reverence. Chinese culture, with Confucianism at its core, emphasizes moral cultivation and the welfare of all.
Ziye Shibo
The Ziye Shibo teapot has a clear and sharp triangular form, standing slim and upright with distinct angles that offer no resting place for the hand.
The teapot has a relatively small mouth, a harmonious balance between bone and flesh, and stands elegantly upright. The efficient spout is the most scientifically designed and cleverly crafted feature of the teapot, and it is also the reason why tea enthusiasts love it so much.
Yuhualong (Fish Transforming into a Dragon)
The Yuhualong is a typical traditional teapot shape, created by the famous Ming dynasty teapot artist Chen Zhongmei.
Later, it was improved by the renowned Qing dynasty teapot artist Shao Daheng, who made a teapot with a movable dragon head lid, dragon tail handle, undulating waves, and fish and dragon motifs.
The dream of leaping over the dragon gate and becoming a dragon, achieving great things, is a dream that every man has had.
Chuanlu
The Chuanlu takes its shape from the Ming dynasty Xuande furnace, exuding the solemnity and stability of a bronze vessel.
It is elegant and ancient, a perfect example of squareness within roundness and roundness within squareness. Crafting it in such a way that its proportions are appropriate, its curves smooth and even, and its bones and flesh well-proportioned is no easy feat.
Han Duo
Han Duo means the “Duo” of the Han dynasty. According to the Sayings of Characters, “Duo” refers to a large bell. It is the name of an object. The Han Duo teapot is modeled after the “Duo” of the Han dynasty.
Zhuchu (Column Base)
The zhuchu is a type of Chinese architectural component, commonly known as a socle or column base stone. It is the pad foundation stone that bears the weight of a wooden column. In any wooden structure, there is a column base under each column, indispensable.
The Zhuchu teapot is one of the designs created by Man Sheng. Its shape is stable and generous, using the column base as the teapot form, making it appear unique and beautiful while also conveying a sense of stability. This teapot shape has been passed down through generations.
Fanggu (Imitation Antique)
The Fanggu is a very imposing teapot. Modeled after ancient battlefield drums, it is also called “Fanggu” (imitation drum).
The body is flat and the belly is bulging, the neck is high and the lid is flat and smooth. The inner and outer edges of the lid fit tightly, forming a full circular line. The entire teapot is well-proportioned and balanced, expanding and contracting appropriately, with a smooth and seamless flow.
Xianyuan (Round with Lines)
The Xianyuan teapot began to gain popularity in the