Zisha teapot DRAGON, handmade by artist Level 2, MU Ming-Long (L2-2019), Tian Qing Ni

🫖 Ai Huan Long Teapot 矮环龙 – Handmade by Mu Minglong 穆明龙 (Level 2)
Clay: Rare Tian Qing Ni (天青泥)
Volume: 400ml
Category: National Senior Arts & Crafts Artist (Level 2)

🔍 Overview:
A masterfully crafted Ai Huan Long (矮环龙) teapot by acclaimed Zisha master Mu Minglong, made from exceptionally rare and historically revered Tian Qing Ni clay. At 400ml, this teapot is bold in form and generous in capacity — a collector’s showcase of form, clay, and lineage.

🪨 About the Clay – Tian Qing Ni (天青泥)
Tian Qing Ni is one of the oldest and most documented Zisha clays in Chinese teaware history, first recorded in the Ming Dynasty classic Yangxian Minghu Xi by Zhou Gaoqi. It describes Tian Qing Ni as:

“Sourced from Lishu (蠡墅), when fired, it darkens to a liver-like tone.”

☑️ Key Characteristics:
Color: Purplish base with reddish undertones; matures to a rich, jade-like patina

Feel: Smooth and elegant, highly responsive to nurturing

Brewing Trait: Balanced heat retention and breathability — improves roundness and clarity of tea

🔴 Extinct Clay Origin:
The original Tian Qing Ni vein near Da Shui Tan in Yixing was submerged by underground water in the late Qing Dynasty, making true Tian Qing Ni nearly impossible to obtain today.

Most Tian Qing Ni on the market today is actually Da Shui Tan Zi Ni — only similar in appearance. This piece, however, uses custom-refined material sourced from a private reserve, guided and tested by national clay engineers.

👉 This is not imitation clay — this is the real heritage material, nearly lost to time.

🧭 Shape – Ai Huan Long (矮环龙)
This powerful, low-slung shape features:

A wide, grounded body with strong visual weight

A tightly integrated short lid and ring handle

An expressive silhouette with commanding presence

It’s an excellent functional teapot for brewing in larger gatherings or extended tea sessions — while retaining elegance and flow in its lines.

👤 About the Artist – Mu Minglong 穆明龙
🎖️ Level 2 – National Senior Arts & Crafts Artist (国家级高级工艺美术师, awarded 2019)
🧪 Senior Clay Engineer | Nephew of Grandmaster Jiang Rong (蒋蓉)

Born in 1964 in Yixing, Mu Minglong is a renowned figure in modern Zisha innovation. Founder of the Dingshu Zisha Arts Studio (1989–present), he has contributed greatly to the refinement of traditional Yixing clays and introduced “Ziyulong Sand Clay” (紫玉龙砂土) — a breathable, oxygen-enhancing Zisha blend developed from rare raw ores.

His craftsmanship is marked by:

Deep respect for classical form

Technical excellence and control

Innovation in natural clay research and firing techniques

Multiple awards in domestic and international exhibitions

Pieces collected by institutions, including Shaolin Temple (嵩山少林寺)

☕ Performance:
This piece is not only collectible — it’s made for brewing.

✅ Strong breathability: improves sweetness and aftertaste

✅ Ideal for Dark Tea, PuErh, and rich Oolongs

✅ Enhanced oxygenation effect during steeping (visible micro-bubbling)

✅ Warms beautifully with use, building a soft, lustrous patina over time

✨ Why Collect This Teapot:
🔥 Made from extinct-origin Tian Qing Ni clay

🖋️ Handcrafted by Level 2 national artist & clay innovator

🫖 Strong silhouette with historic inspiration

🧪 Clay tested and refined under national-grade standards

🔒 Only a few pieces ever made with this combination of material + artist