Zisha teapot Half Moon (BAN YUE), handmade by artist Level 3, SHENG Zhong Jie（L3-2015）Shi Hong, Zhu Ni

🫖 Half Moon Teapot (Ban Yue 壶) – 190ml
Clay: Shi Hong (石红, variant of Zhu Ni)
Capacity: 190ml
Craftsmanship: Fully Handmade
Artist: Sheng Zhongjie 盛中杰
Level: National Arts & Crafts Artist (Level 3 – awarded in 2015)
Includes: Certificate of authenticity + gift box

Timeless Elegance, Rooted in Philosophy – The Half Moon Teapot
The Ban Yue ("Half Moon") teapot is a design originally attributed to Chen Mansheng during the Qing Dynasty. It is one of the most beloved forms among the "Mansheng Eighteen Styles." Simple yet deeply poetic, the teapot reflects ancient Chinese wisdom:

“Everything in fullness leads to emptiness, and in half, there is completeness. Less is more. Simplicity is virtue.”

Like the moon waxing and waning, the Half Moon Teapot invites us to reflect on harmony, humility, and the beauty of imperfection. It is more than a teapot—it is a vessel of philosophy.

Shape & Symbolism
Its form is compact and full, with a rounded half-moon silhouette that conveys stability and grace. The short, curved spout allows for smooth and precise pouring, while the round button knob and sturdy handle are balanced in proportion. Viewed as a whole, the teapot expresses harmony through asymmetry, grace through simplicity.

This piece subtly alludes to the classical poem by Zhang Jiuling:

“Bright moon rises over the sea, from far away, we share this moment.”
The teapot becomes a metaphor for connection across distance, and for quiet longing.

About the Clay – Shi Hong (Stone Red)
Shi Hong, also known as "Stone Red," is a rare and highly prized subtype of Yixing Zhu Ni. With high mineral content, particularly iron and zinc, this clay is known for its:

Deep reddish-brown color, sometimes bordering on purplish-black after firing

Metallic luster that develops with use (hence nicknamed “iron pot clay”)

Very low plasticity, making it extremely hard to shape and fire

Strong tea-enhancing properties, especially for Shou Pu-erh, Liu Bao, and dark teas

Shi Hong clay is notoriously difficult to work with, and only master-level artisans attempt to use it for full-handmade teapots. This adds immense collectible value and rarity to the piece.

About the Artist – Sheng Zhongjie 盛中杰
Born in 1972, Sheng Zhongjie is a Level 3 National Arts & Crafts Artist, and a direct disciple of Master Xu Hantang 徐汉棠, a China National Grand Master. He began his formal training in the late 1980s and has since held key technical and design roles in Yixing’s famed Zisha Factory No. 2.

His accolades include:
🏆 Multiple Gold Awards in national-level arts & crafts exhibitions
🏆 Permanent museum collections in Wuxi, Xinjiang, and Anhui
🏆 Publications in major ceramic journals and academic exhibitions

Sheng is known for his deep grounding in tradition and his delicate integration of philosophy into form. His works are meditative, minimalist, and full of soul, often expressing a poetic narrative in clay.

Summary
Name: Half Moon (Ban Yue) Teapot
Clay: Shi Hong (Stone Red) – rare Zhu Ni variant
Capacity: 190ml
Craftsmanship: Fully handmade
Artist: Sheng Zhongjie (Level 3, 2015)
Includes: Certificate & Gift Box

Recommended Teas: Shou Pu-erh, Liu Bao, Black Tea, Aged White

A masterpiece of balance, intention, and heritage — a collectible teapot that speaks to the mind and the heart.