Like the birthmark of a place, the concentric rings that circle this teapot are born from the clay spun on the wheel. This fully handmade piece is shaped using the Chaozhou technique of 刀修 (dao xiu, “knife trimming”), where the lines are carved into the body as part of the throwing process.
Often seen as subtle decoration on Chaozhou pots, here the potter has chosen to cover the entire surface with these rings — from the flattened belly to the lid, extending even to the spout and stout handle. The result is both dignified and uncanny, as if the artist left the form intentionally unfinished, inviting us to pause and wonder over a cup of tea.
The Clay
Made from fine red clay (红泥, hongni) sourced in the Phoenix Mountains of Chaozhou, this material has an elastic quality suited for wheel-thrown teapots. Unlike the denser hand-built Yixing ware, Chaozhou clay produces thinner walls that dissipate heat quickly. This makes it ideal for brewing delicate leaves — Dancong oolongs in particular — where high aroma must be preserved from overheating.
Rich in the same minerals as the soil where Dancong tea trees grow, this clay is considered a natural companion to Phoenix Mountain teas. Yet it remains versatile, capable of softening, rounding, and brightening many other tea types without overshadowing them.
The Artist:
Yunshun Zhang章永顺: Born in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province. Specializes in the craft of Chaozhou Gongfu teapots.
He studied under the senior generation of Chaozhou teapot makers and has been engaged in the craft for more than 40 years.
His works have won multiple awards at provincial and national exhibitions.
In 2015, he was recognized as a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Chaozhou Gongfu teapots.
He is currently a member of the China Arts and Crafts Association and the Guangdong Provincial Arts and Crafts Society.
