Fang Gu (仿古) "Red-Skinned Dragon" Zini Yixing Teapot

Fang Gu "Red-Skinned Dragon" Zini Teapot | Yixing Zisha 
仿古 红皮龙 | 宜兴紫砂

Clay:    Red-Skinned Dragon Zini
Capacity:    165ml
Pour Time:    9s
Made in Dingshan, Yixing

This classic Fang Gu teapot was commissioned in an extremely rare and special clay known as Hong Pi Long or "Red-Skinned Dragon". This is a very highly sought after grade of Zini which yields a distinctive reddish tone after firing.

The texture of this clay is superb, showing both refinement of texture while retaining good tactility, 有骨有肉 or "displays good structure of flesh and bones", as the Chinese describe it. It is a clay that seasons quickly and beautifully with regular use -- see the final picture for a comparison between an unused example and one we have used normally for 6 months.

Due to the rarity of this clay, only very few pieces were produced for us.

MORE ABOUT THE CLAY

While the name of the clay is evocative in itself, it was actually so named for several reasons: "red" for its distinct red color (unusual in a Zini ore), "skin" because the ore occurs in deposits close to the surface, and "Dragon" after the HuangLongShan mountain it is mined from. A distinguishing feature is the presence of bright mica specks which are uniformly interspersed throughout the clay.

Due to the smoothness and loose nature of the clay, it is extremely hard to work with, cracks easily and thus often has a low yield when firing. Despite these challenges, it remains a sought-after clay due to its strong breathability (it rivals the vaunted Di Cao Qing clay) and quickness to season.

CARE OF YOUR ZISHA:
1.   To clean your new teapot, first rinse well inside and out with lukewarm water. Then fill with hot water just off the boil, steep for 30s and pour out. Repeat the hot water rinse 2-3 times as needed.
2.   Brew your favorite tea!
3.   After the session, empty the spent leaf and rinse out well with lukewarm water. Dry the exterior gently with a soft cloth if needed to remove any stains that remain.
4.   Air dry in a well-ventilated area with the lid removed. 

other tips:
-    Never use detergent or any other cleaning agent on Zisha!
-    Our Zisha is top quality; boiling with tea leaves (or tofu) before use is not needed.
-    Your teapot will develop a patina through regular use and care. Avoid pouring tea over the exterior of the pot to hasten the process, this will quickly result in a “dirty” looking pot.