Zisha teapot Fu Lu, handmade by artist Level 4, ZHU Li-Ping (L4-2015)

🫖 “Fu Lu” Gourd Teapot 福禄壶 (葫芦）
Clay: Long Xue Sha (龙血砂 / Dragon Blood Clay)
Volume: 210ml
Artist Certification: National Assistant Arts & Crafts Artist (Level 4)
Shape: Hulu / Gourd (曼生十八式之一)

🔍 Overview:
This rare, handmade “Fu Lu” (Gourd) teapot is crafted from Long Xue Sha (龙血砂) — one of the most precious and high-iron Yixing clays ever discovered. Shaped in the auspicious Hulu form, the teapot is both a functional tea vessel and a meaningful symbol of good fortune, longevity, and prosperity.

🪨 Clay – Long Xue Sha (龙血砂 / Dragon Blood Zisha)
Dragon Blood Zisha is a legendary variant of Jiang Po Ni, discovered by accident in 2007 during roadworks near Huanglong Mountain, just 50 meters from the famed Da Shui Tan mine.

🩸 Named for its deep crimson, blood-like hue, the clay was found in an ultra-thin seam (less than 15cm thick) between two rock layers — with only ~3 tonnes unearthed in total.

🧪 Fe₂O₃ content reaches 23.46%, making it the highest iron-content Zisha ever recorded — nearly 3x that of standard Zi Ni.

🌡️ Optimal firing temp: 1160°C. Under high heat, black star-specks emerge, giving Dragon Blood clay its signature look.

💎 Texture: full granular, low plasticity, extremely difficult to shape — requiring expert hand-forming.

🔥 Once fired: dull and matte. Once seasoned: glossy, warm, and jade-like in beauty.

✅ Tea Character: Excellent breathability, temperature stability, and aroma preservation. Neutral in taste, it complements all types of Chinese tea — without overpowering the leaves.

🍐 About the Shape – Hulu (Gourd / Fu Lu)
The Hulu (gourd) form is one of the 18 classic Man Sheng shapes, loved by collectors for its deep cultural symbolism.

📖 “Fu” (福) = blessing | “Lu” (禄) = wealth & official success

🍃 Inspired by a Qing Dynasty tale of courtesy and family, where a nephew gifted a basket of green gourds to poet and official Man Sheng, saying “I bring you Fu and Lu.”

🎨 Man Sheng later immortalized the shape into teaware, making this pot a symbol of literary spirit, virtue, and good fortune.

The gourd form is full-bodied, balanced, and stable — with strong presence and timeless appeal.

👩🎨 About the Artist:
Zhu Li-Ping (朱丽萍)

National Assistant Arts & Crafts Artist (Level 4) – Awarded 2015
A skilled Yixing craftswoman with decades of experience, Zhu’s work blends classical forms with clean shaping and subtle elegance. Her teapots are well-respected among collectors seeking authentic craftsmanship, functionality, and certified origin.

✨ Why This Teapot:
✅ Made from ultra-rare Long Xue Sha (Dragon Blood Zisha)

✅ Classic Fu Lu / Hulu shape – auspicious, balanced, collectible

✅ Excellent for all tea types – softens without altering tea aroma

✅ 210ml – perfect mid-size for daily or ceremonial use

✅ Handcrafted by certified Level 4 artist

✅ A meaningful gift or legacy collector’s piece