Handmade by Zhou Xiangxin (周湘欣)
Like the birthmark of a place, the concentric rings circling this teapot are formed directly from clay spun on the wheel. Shaped using the traditional Chaozhou technique of 刀修 (dao xiu, “knife trimming”), the lines are carved into the body as part of the throwing process — not added later as ornament.
Crafted from fine hongni (红泥) sourced in the Phoenix Mountains, the clay has an elastic quality that allows for thinner walls and quick heat response. Unlike denser Yixing ware, Chaozhou clay dissipates heat more rapidly, making it particularly well suited for aromatic teas and precise gongfucha sessions where timing matters.
The Artist:
Zhou Xiangxin, based in Chaozhou, Guangdong, is recognized as a rural craft engineer of Guangdong Province and specializes in traditional Chaozhou hand-pulled teapots. With extensive experience in clay selection, form development, and technical refinement, he focuses on balancing tradition and practical usability. His works emphasize structural precision, brewing performance, and the preservation of Chaozhou ceramic heritage.
