Small Shuipings are Coming!

(Originally published February 29, 2020)

This year will be the first time we order a custom mould for our own line of Yixing Teapots. In recognition that many of our customers prefer smaller Yixing Teapots, we have ordered a mould for dicaoqing shuipings in a sub-100ml capacity. The design will recreate the classic shuiping silhouette in the studio's excellent original ore dicaoqing, a versatile zini (purple clay). As we discussed in our previous article on the topic, half-handmade teapots are made with the help of moulds, which the potter uses when shaping the clay slabs by hand into the different pieces that will form the finished teapot.

The following photos show the design in progress from Lin Hanpeng, with his explanation. The English translation follows below.

English translation of the post from Lin Hanpeng

“A friend requested we make a small dicaoqing shuiping around 80-90cc in capacity. Before making it I need to refresh and optimize the shuiping mould, because if the proportions are equally reduced, there won’t be enough space inside the handle. From experience, the interior space [of the handle] should be over 18mm wide so as not to have a negative impact on the handling. Adjustments are made with the requested orders in mind. We insist on using original ore zisha [Yixing Clay] and making it by hand. We anticipate any problems before proceeding with production, and provide a total solution for the whole process from raw material to finished goods.”

190ml Dicaoqing Shuiping by Lin Hanpeng.