ZISHA TEAPOT FANG GU, HANDMADE BY ARTIST LEVEL 3, WANG LI-JUAN 王利娟（L3-2019）皱皮朱泥 仿古壶

壶型：仿古 FANG GU

泥料：皱皮 小煤窑朱泥 ZHU NI

容量：230ml

 Fang Gu teapot, one of the essential "Three Musketeers" for teapot enthusiasts, originated from the drums used on ancient battlefields. Drums, as instruments to boost morale during clashes between two armies, played a role in cheering on the soldiers, sounding the retreat, and more. When referring to the Antique-style teapot, the term "Antique" is a representation of imitating the drum.

Traditional Chinese drums mainly originated from the central plains, with more than 20 varieties recorded before the Qin and Han dynasties. Despite varying in size and height, they were mostly characterized by a cylindrical shape with a thick waist.

According to records, one account suggests that it was initially created by Shao Daheng in the Qing Dynasty with the original intention of mimicking the shape of a drum. Over time, people started making teapots in this style, and the term "Antique-style" came to signify imitating ancient teapot shapes.

Another account traces it back to the modern era, where Zhao Songting, under the guidance of Wu Daizheng, crafted teapots with a flat body, bulging belly like a drum, tall neck, and a smooth lid. The teapot lid and mouth rim aligned seamlessly, forming a complete circular line, the flat knob being robust, and the rainbow knob having a natural flow. The circular handle rose evenly, with some styles having a droop at the bottom, creating a lively effect. The overall structure was well-proportioned, exhibiting a harmonious balance between contraction and expansion.

There are several conventions for Antique-style teapots:

Short Antique-style teapots have an overall elliptical profile.

The lid of the teapot is outside the elliptical outline.

The lid surface becomes a segment of a large ellipse, and the lid itself constitutes a central ellipse.

The lower contour line of the central ellipse is hidden within the upper end of the teapot body, not visible but must be felt.

The spout is also an ellipse, so the three ellipses should be different in size but have a consistent shape, appearing coherent and responsive. Moreover, the long axes of the three ellipses should have a golden ratio relationship.

Visually, the distance between the handle and the mouth of the Antique-style teapot should be exactly equal, forming a harmonious airflow between the handle and the spout, and the connection between the end and the teapot body should be symmetrical, and smooth, and should not disrupt the teapot's contour line.

The teapot body should be plump with a sense of expansion. The lid and the teapot body should form a seamless unity, with the lid edge and the mouth rim being smooth and full, like tightly closed lips.

仿古壶源于古代战场上的鼓，鼓作为两军交锋时鼓舞士气的工具，擂鼓助威，鸣金收兵，说的就是它，仿古应为仿鼓。

中国传统的鼓多源于中原，秦汉前已有20余种。虽大小高矮不同，但几乎都是粗腰筒状。

据记载，一说清代邵大亨初创，原意是壶体仿照鼓型，后人仿制做这种壶形就成了仿古代壶型的意思了。

另一说最早见于近代赵松亭按吴大徴授意所作，身扁、腹鼓、颈高、盖板平滑，壶盖与口沿子母线吻合严密，合成圆线饱满，扁钮有力，虹钮有势，二弯流胥出自然；圆圈把匀势而起，有些款把圆下有垂，富于灵动，整体骨肉亭匀，收展有度，有一气呵成之畅。

仿古壶的规矩良多：

矮的仿古壶，整体的轮廓线是个长椭圆型；

 壶的盖子是在椭圆轮廓线外面的。这样盖面就成了大椭圆的一段弧线，盖子本身构成一个中椭圆。中椭圆的下部轮廓线是隐于壶身上端之内的，看不见但必需能感觉到。子口也是个椭圆，这样三个椭圆应该是大小不一样但外形很一致，显得连贯呼应。另外三个椭圆的长轴应该有黄金分割比例关系。直观看，仿古壶的把和嘴与壶口的夹角距离应该完全相等，把与嘴要形成贯气，端部与壶身暗接处要对称流畅且不可以伤壶体轮廓线。壶身要丰满，有膨胀感。盖与壶身要浑然一体，盖沿与壶口沿要平整丰满，如紧闭之双唇。

仿古壶是经典的紫砂壶型之一，经数百年无数名家锤炼，可谓是炉火纯青。

其壶体古朴、大方、端庄、凝重，符合收藏家的审美需求。壶身扁圆，饱满充实，气度不凡，亦有圆圆满满之寓意。现在就拥有一把仿古。

泥料

作者 

 王利娟（L3-2019 Awarded in 2019)