Zisha teapot Duo Zhi, handmade by artist Level 3, SHENG Zhong Jie （L3-2015）Shi Hong, Zhu Ni

🫖 DUO ZHI
Clay: SHI HONG (Zhu Ni)
Volume:200cc

Clay:  Shi Hong is the most magical and unique type of Yixing zisha clay material, with extremely high difficulty in kneading and crafting. It is the clay material with the highest mineral content among all Yixing zisha materials. Beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc are present in higher concentrations compared to other clay materials, making it highly beneficial for human health.
It is extremely suitable for brewing Liu Bao tea and aged tea.
Shi Hong has a low production yield and a high sand content, with low plasticity. It is not suitable for forming using a single mineral and is often mixed with other minerals to improve its color (hue and lustre) and viscosity.
It is difficult to shape and has a very low success rate when using pure Shi Hong to make Yixing zisha teapots."

Shape: The Duozhi teapot, created by the renowned Yixing master Shao Daheng, draws its inspiration from a traditional container used in Yixing for condiments and candies, known as "duozi". Over time, it came to be referred to as "duozhi", as the pronunciation of "zi" has shifted in modern Mandarin.

In the realm of Yixing pottery, connoisseurs often liken the Duozhi teapot to its counterparts, the Lian Zi（lotus seed ）and the Duo Qiu (stacked ball). 

The Lian Zi teapot is among the earliest designs to emerge, dating back to the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, or even earlier. Its original form mimics the structure of lotus seeds, with each layer stacking atop the next, symbolizing the traditional Chinese notion of "continuous birth of sons", signifying perpetual renewal and prosperity.

The Duozhi teapot is a refined adaptation of the Lian Zi teapot, characterized by the removal of the ears beneath the lotus seed handle and the transformation of the lid into a double layer. Some suggest that this evolution stemmed from the stacking of objects, hence the name "duozhi".

Subsequently, Yixing masters Feng Youting and his disciple Cheng Shouzhen raised the neck of the Duozhi teapot, altered the lid to a more semi-circular shape, and rounded the knob, resembling three stacked balls, hence termed as "duoqiu". However, the exact chronology of the duozhi and duoqiu teapots remains unclear.

The Duozhi teapot boasts a simple and elegant design, with a lustrous and full-bodied appearance, exuding understated sophistication through its concise lines. Esteemed Chinese master Gu Jingzhou once lauded the creator of the Duozhi teapot, Shao Daheng, as a pinnacle figure in Yixing pottery artistry, whose creations epitomize mastery and refinement, leaving an indelible mark on the craft.

Artist:
👤 Artist Profile: Sheng Zhongjie 盛中杰
National Arts & Crafts Artist – Level 3
Member of the China Arts & Crafts Association
Disciple of Grandmaster Xu Han-Tang

🧑🎨 Background:
Born on June 15, 1972, Sheng Zhongjie is a nationally certified Level 3 Arts & Crafts Artist, and a prominent figure in the Yixing Zisha community. He is a direct disciple of Xu Han-Tang 徐汉棠, one of China’s most respected Zisha Grandmasters, and has over three decades of experience in purple clay teapot craftsmanship and design.

In 1989, Sheng was admitted to the prestigious Yixing Ding Shu Ceramics School’s Zisha Arts Program, co-hosted by Yixing Zisha Factory No. 2, where he was mentored by top artists including Fan Yongliang and Zhang Yuzhi. He later became:

1992: Assistant instructor under Master Wang Fujun

1994: Technical Director at the Special Arts Workshop of Zisha Factory No. 2

1995: Senior Instructor at Ding Shu Zisha Vocational School

1996–1999: Lead developer and researcher at Zisha Factory No. 2’s R&D Department

🏆 Awards & Recognitions:
Sheng’s creations have been honored in numerous national and international exhibitions, and are part of museum collections across China. His teapots are known for their balance between classical form and modern refinement, often winning top prizes in China’s most competitive teapot showcases.

Notable awards include:

🥈 2000 – Silver Award, National Masterpieces Expo (Fang Gu Teapot)

🥇 2005 – Gold Award, China-Japan-Korea International Tea Exchange (Bu Bu Ru Yi Teapot)

🏅 2006 – Work collected by Wuxi Museum (Bamboo Section Teapot)

🏆 2011 – Gold Prize, China Fine Tea Ware “Golden Goat Award” (Han Feng Zhu Yun Teapot)

🥇 2012–2015 – 3× Gold Medals at National Arts & Crafts Masterpieces Expo

🏅 2017 – Jing Lan Teapot entered permanent collection of Anhui Provincial Museum

🥇 2018 – Gold Prize, Taocheng Cup Ceramic Art Competition (Rong Tian Teapot)

His essay “Zisha Ceramic Art Reflections” was also published in Jiangsu Ceramics journal in 2005.

🫖 Artistic Style:
Sheng Zhongjie’s works are celebrated for:

✅ Deep foundation in traditional Zisha shapes

✅ Clean lines, structural harmony, and elegant proportions

✅ Rich use of natural ore clays, with focus on breathability and patina development

✅ Consistent pursuit of excellence, with refined craftsmanship and subtle innovation

His signature pieces like the Si Ting, Han Yun, Rong Tian, and Yun Jian Ru Yi teapots demonstrate grace, purpose, and cultural depth.