Zisha teapot Round Bead by artist Level 5, JIANG Chen（L5-2015）Zhu Ni

🫖 Round Bead teapot 圆珠壶
Clay: ZHU NI (Xiao Mei Yao) 小煤窑朱泥 
Capacity: 100ml
Artist: JIANG Chen 蒋晨 EVEL 5，(Awarded in 2015) 

THE SHAPE

The Round Bead teapot is one of the eighteen traditional shapes of Yixing teapots by MAN-SHENG. Its name derives from its spherical body design. There are two versions of the Round Bead teapot, differing only slightly: one with a slightly flattened spherical body, the other with a completely round body; one with a short spout, the other with a double-curved spout; one with a thick handle, the other with a slender one.

This "Round Bead teapot" features an elegant and simple design, with a soft and rounded shape that exudes a dignified charm. The gradual transition from fullness to subtlety in the teapot body gives it an upright and stable appearance, embodying a serene and exquisite beauty that is beyond words. Particularly, the upper part of the teapot body resembles the graceful shoulders of a beauty, adding to its elegance; the pouring spout of the teapot exhibits a firm and resolute posture, demonstrating the exquisite skill of the potter through its clear and smooth lines.

"Round" symbolizes satisfaction and perfection, representing the pursuit of a fulfilling life and a complete existence. "Harmony in roundness" implies the fusion of roundness leading to perfection.

The shape of the purple clay round vessel reflects the highest level of aesthetic understanding of beauty by the Chinese people over thousands of years - roundness. The perfect fusion of the round shape and the purple clay teapot allows people to appreciate unique cultural artistry while enjoying tea. From the teapot, one can discern the character of its maker, as it contains rich philosophical insights into life and reflects the author's intellectual and moral character.