A 200ml Ziye Shipiao in raw Shihuang (stone yellow) clay, made in Yixing using mold-assisted shaping with hand-finishing. The Shipiao is one of Yixing's most enduring forms — wide at the base, tapering upward, stable in hand and on the table. A straightforward daily-use pot.
The Shape
The Ziye Shipiao is a well-established variant of the classic Shipiao (stone ladle) form, named after Qu Ziye — a Qing Dynasty scholar-artist who favored this style. The body is widest at the base, tapering inward toward the lid, with the side profile forming a near-isosceles triangle. The center of gravity sits low. Three small rounded feet lift the base slightly from the table, giving the pot visual stability without making it feel heavy.
This version — Fengming, Phoenix Song — follows the traditional Ziye Shipiao proportions: composed and unornamented, the form making its case through line and balance alone. The spout exits cleanly at a low angle. The lid fits with a pressure seal for controlled pouring.
The Clay
Raw Shihuang (原矿石黄): Shihuang is a yellow-toned Yixing clay sourced directly from ore without blending. It fires to a warm, mineral surface with good density. With regular use, the color deepens and the texture gradually smooths — the clay is considered one of the more responsive materials for seasoning, and the changes are noticeable over time.
Specifications
| Capacity |
200ml ± 10ml |
| Water outlet |
Mesh filter |
| Construction |
Mold-assisted shaping, hand-finished |
| Origin |
Yixing, Jiangsu, China |
What to Brew
At 200ml, this pot suits a two-person gongfu session or a generous single-person brew. The Shipiao form and Shihuang clay pair naturally with Wuyi rock tea (yan cha) and Phoenix Dancong oolong — the clay's mineral character complements the roasted depth and floral notes of these teas. It also works well with aged pu-erh and ripe pu-erh.
One pot, one tea type. Yixing clay absorbs flavors over time — using the same pot consistently with the same category of tea lets the seasoning develop cleanly.
Seasoning Your New Pot
Rinse inside and out with boiling water two or three times before first use. Brew a session with your intended tea, discarding the first steeping. After each use, empty, remove the lid, and allow to dry naturally in open air. The clay's surface will deepen in color and smooth gradually with regular use.
A Note on Color
All product photos are taken of the actual item. Colors may appear slightly different on your screen due to lighting conditions and monitor calibration. The clay color and surface texture you receive will be consistent with what is shown — minor variation is normal and not a quality issue.
Explore the full range: Return to the Teapots collection to see all Yixing teapots currently available.
