ZISHA TEAPOT XI SHI, HANDMADE BY ARTIST LEVEL 3, WANG LI-JUAN 王利娟（L3-2019）皱皮朱泥 西施壶
壶型：西施壶 XI-SHI
泥料：皱皮 小煤窑朱泥 ZHU NI
容量：250ml
Xi-shi teapot, one of the essential "Three Musketeers" for teapot enthusiasts, is named after the renowned beauty Xi-shi. The teapot's form resembles the voluptuous figure of the beauty, with the knob resembling a nipple, short and slightly robust spout, and a handle that curves gracefully. The lid is crafted in a truncated style, and the bottom of the pot curves inward near the base, creating a distinctive shape. The spout represents Xi-shi's mouth, and the body of the teapot perfectly corresponds to the vessel's water-holding section, with the handle resembling a slender waist. In later times, the term "Xi-shi breast" was deemed inappropriate and replaced with "Inverted Xi-shi Teapot."
The enduring popularity of the Xi-shi teapot is rooted in historical records of this specific teapot shape in Yixing clay history.
The Xi-shi teapot presented here is crafted from original Xiao Mei Yao Zhu Ni clay. Resembling a charming young lady, this teapot captivates with its petite form, reminiscent of a seductive and full-bodied figure. The rounded and elegant body mirrors the curves of a plump woman. Adorned with a beaded knob, the short and cute spout, and the graceful inverted handle give the appearance of a sophisticated hairstyle, adding maturity and elegance. This teapot is not only practical but also a delight to appreciate, offering both utility and aesthetic value.
泥料
【窑温】约1065~1700度
【收缩比】25%以上
【矿产地】江苏宜兴
【泥性】须以高窑温攻之，收缩比高
【难度】较易跳砂、变型、窑裂；泥胚疏松故成型易开裂，结合较难掌握，制作时开口易掉砂，细部处理须高技巧与耐心。收缩比率大、成品率低、大器难烧成
【特点】周身密布粗犷颗粒，形成特殊风格；红润又具砂感，器身明显成双气孔结构，空气对流顺畅，别于一般陶器；质朴拙雅，美冠群伦，人气之佳历数百年而不衰
【冲茗特性】热淋变色率高，养后愈显红润，易现包浆之美；亲茶性高，冲茗醇厚甘甜，易掌时间，不熟汤气，隔夜不馊
【冲泡建议】乌龙，铁观音，普洱茶，绿茶等
为什么西施那么长期受追捧呢？
这个壶型在紫砂壶的史料中是有明文记载的，而且，最早做这个壶型的，当属徐友泉大师，明末清初吴梅鼎给了徐友泉极高的评价，称"若夫综古今而合度，极变化以从心，技而近乎道者，其友泉徐子乎。"吴梅鼎之所以为世人所识，实在是因为写了一篇千五百字的《阳羡茗壶赋》。吴氏曾祖是明正德进士吴颐山，正德进士何许人也，不太清楚，只是他的家童名声太盛，叫"供春"。历史上第一把有名字记载的紫砂壶，就是他家这位书童创造的。吴颐山少时在宜兴金沙寺读书，家童供春服侍少主的同时，据说偷学了寺僧制壶，不经意间，成了紫砂壶史上的鼻祖。然后经历了赵梁、董翰、元畅、时朋"四大名家"，然后是时鹏之子时大彬一家独大，时大彬有一高足，就是徐友泉了。而吴梅鼎的父亲和徐友泉交好，并请其到家中研制紫砂壶，成就了一段佳话。吴梅鼎更是耳濡目染，友泉晚年自叹"吾之精，终不如时之粗"时，他不知道，紫砂史册上，已经有了他浓重的一笔。
此款西施壶采用了原矿小煤窑朱泥制作而成，壶容量为250cc，西施壶，婉如一个美丽的少女温婉可人，其小巧形象就如同在演绎着一个丰满诱人体态的少女，令无数人竞折腰，壶身圆润优雅，仿若一位丰腴的女子，壶钮以一粒珠饰之，壶嘴短小俊俏，典雅的倒把宛若女子的发髻，显得更加的成熟与雅致，更是惹人喜爱，此壶，既实用又值得品味。
作者
王利娟（L3-2019 Awarded in 2019)
