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The Museum Proper
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Chinese
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Yixing purple clay teapot, also known as purple clay teapot, uses Yixing clay as raw material. This traditional pot for making tea originated in China and dates back to the 15th century. This clay is produced near Yixing, Jiangsu Province, in eastern China.
Archaeological excavations have shown that as early as the Song Dynasty (10th century) potters near Yixing were using local "purple sand" (purple clay) to make utensils that may have functioned as teapots. This kind of teapot quickly became popular among the literati class, and the reputation of Yixing teapot began to spread.
Yixing teapots are produced near Dingshan Mountain on the west side of Taihu Lake. Hundreds of teapot shops line the edge of the town's crowded streets and are a popular tourist destination for many Chinese. Yixing Zisha No. 1 Factory is the oldest teapot factory in China and processes most of the clay used in the region.
Yixing teapot is suitable for Pu'er tea, black tea and oolong tea. They can also be used for green or white tea; however, the heat-retaining properties of Yixing make the brewing process extremely difficult.
A famous feature of Yixing teapots is the ability to absorb trace amounts of brewed tea flavor and minerals into the teapot with each brew. Over time, these accumulations give each Yixing teapot its own unique flavor and color to the internal coating, influencing future brews.
Some Yixing teapots are smaller than Western teapots because this type of tea is typically brewed using the Gongfu brewing method: steeping time is shorter, the amount of water is smaller, and the teacup is smaller.
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Unknown
Creator Ancestory:
Chinese
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Department:
The Museum Proper
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Replica or Original:
A clay pot made from Yixing
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Classification/Category:
Tools & Equipment for Materials
Specific Classification:
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings: