A 130ml Ziye Shipiao in raw black Zhu clay (黑朱泥), fully handmade by Yixing artisan Yi Lai. Each pot carries an interior maker's stamp applied before firing, and comes with a collector's certificate and gift box. Black Zhu clay fires to a deep, close-grained surface. At 130ml, this is a small-format pot suited to focused solo brewing or a tight two-person session.
The Shape
The Ziye Shipiao takes its name from Qu Ziye, a Qing Dynasty literati figure known for his refined taste in Yixing pottery. Compared to the standard Shipiao, the Ziye variant is slightly more elongated — considered more refined in proportion, with a body that tapers more gradually from base to shoulder. Three small rounded feet lift the base from the table.
At 130ml, the pot is compact without being miniature. It suits a relaxed solo session or a close two-person pour, keeping steeping times short and flavors concentrated across multiple infusions.
The Clay
Raw black Zhu clay (原矿黑朱泥): Zhu clay is a high-silica, fine-grained Yixing clay with a notably high shrinkage rate during firing — which requires more precise work at every stage and results in a lower yield of acceptable finished pieces. Black Zhu clay is a darker variant that fires to a deep grey-black with a faint warm undertone and a smooth, close-grained surface.
Zhu clay is denser and less porous than most other Yixing clays. It seasons more gradually, but the dense surface is traditionally considered well-suited to aromatic teas — thought to preserve volatile aromatic compounds better than more porous materials.
Fully Handmade — What That Means
This pot is fully handmade (全手工制作): the body was shaped entirely by hand using traditional Yixing slab-building and paddle techniques, without the use of a mold. The interior carries Yi Lai's maker's stamp, applied before firing.
Fully handmade pots carry the hand of the maker in their surface — minor variations in line, slight asymmetries in the profile — that are inherent to the process and not defects. Each piece is individual.
What's Included
- Teapot with interior maker's stamp
- Gift box
- Collector's certificate
Specifications
| Capacity |
130ml ± 10ml |
| Dimensions |
Diameter 11cm · H 5.5cm · Opening 3.8cm |
| Water outlet |
Nine-hole mesh |
| Construction |
Fully handmade |
| Maker |
Yi Lai (义来), Yixing |
| Origin |
Yixing, Jiangsu, China |
What to Brew
Black Zhu clay's fine, dense surface makes it a strong match for high-aroma teas. The Ziye Shipiao form and 130ml volume are well-suited to Wuyi rock tea (yan cha), high-roast oolong, and Phoenix Dancong brewed gongfu-style with short steeping times. The nine-hole mesh provides slightly faster flow than a single-hole spout, which helps with quick pours on short infusions.
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. Zhu clay's dense surface seasons gradually — changes build slowly over months of regular use rather than appearing quickly. Use consistently with one tea type for the clearest development.
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.
