Zisha teapot Shang Xin Qiao, handmade by artist Level 4, ZHU Li-Ping（L4-2015）ZI NI

🫖 Shang Xin Qiao Teapot 上新桥 – A Masterpiece by Gu Jingzhou

Clay: Dashuitan purple clay (Zi Ni)Capacity: 260ml
Fully Handmade.
Artist:ZHU Li-Ping 朱丽萍（L4-2015）

Shang Xin Qiao Teapot – A Masterpiece by Gu Jingzhou
This Teapot is a classic form created by master Gu Jingzhou in the 1960s as a prototype for mass production. Over time, it evolved into one of the most iconic and enduring designs in Yixing teapot history.

The bridge-shaped knob atop the lid resembles a small arch bridge rippling through gentle waves, while the stepping stone detail on the handle mirrors and balances the bridge knob. When viewed from above, the lid, shoulder, and body align to form four concentric circles, like ripples spreading on water — possibly the inspiration behind the teapot’s name, “Shang Xin Qiao.”

From the side, the ring foot gives the entire structure a solid and grounded presence — elegant yet quietly assertive, carrying a subtle sense of strength beneath its delicate exterior.

In his poetic essay Shiyi, the Tang dynasty monk Jiaoran wrote:

“The realms of form and meaning are not one; emptiness and substance are hard to distinguish.”

This reflects two ideas:
“Jing” (境, realm) is abstract, while “Xiang” (象, form) is concrete.
Though distinct, the two intertwine so seamlessly that their boundaries blur.

Gu Jingzhou’s Shang Xin Qiao teapot achieves this very state — a perfect fusion of form and meaning, where intention and shape become inseparable.

The base of the spout appears weighted and steady, like a strong foundation, and while one might expect the cannon-style spout to deliver a forceful pour, it surprises with its unique character: a swift, clean stream that arcs slightly before plunging downward, delightfully refreshing and satisfying in use.

The Clay 大水潭紫泥

Produced in the same mine layer as the Dashuitan purple clay and Tianqing clay. Many products marketed as "Tianqing clay" often confuse customers by using Dashuitan purple clay instead. The Dashuitan purple clay ore has a dark purple-red appearance, dense block shape, and is as hard as stone. It contains a small amount of white mica fragments, and has light red spots and white waxy texture on the ore. The mature clay is relatively plastic and slightly crisp when formed, with a sandy texture during production, and has a wide firing temperature range. It is generally fired at around 1190-1230℃, with a shrinkage rate of about 5%. After firing, it has a purplish-red color, a relatively firm texture, a rough pear skin-like appearance, and a fine and smooth color.

The Artist: ZHU Liping 

朱丽萍，LEVEL 4，(Awarded in 2015)