Gong Deng GOLDEN DUANNI Teapot | Yixing Zisha
宫灯 - 黄金段 | 宜兴紫砂
Artist: Shi Wen Jie, National Master of Arts and Crafts
Clay: Golden Duanni
Capacity: 170ml
Pour Time: 8s
Made in Dingshan, Yixing
Unique Lot Numbers: 5026-2, 5026-3
Fully handmade by Master Shi Wen Jie in a high grade golden duanni with superb granularity and intermingling of granular colors (gold, deep purple, white) in the clay (see close-up pic 4).
This shape is named Gong Deng or "Palace Lamp". Master Shi has updated a traditional design with contemporary elements that give this piece an uplifting, elegant poise on the tea table, despite significantly increasing the difficulty of handmade execution.
The classical 流扭把 (spout-knob-handle) evaluation is often used by zisha experts and auction houses: Note the elongated spout which stretches out elegantly and varies very subtly in width towards the extremities to give a sense of liveliness and movement -- this is extremely difficult to craft precisely and is testament to Master Shi's skill. The lid knob echoes the overall shape of the pot (including the lateral extension of the lid), while being very pleasant to grasp in regular use. A delicately curved handle in proportion to the opposing spout completes the balance of the piece.
The detailed engraving shows on one side the fruit, leaves and branches of the persimmon tree -- the fruit being a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture. The beautifully carved words on the opposite face read 事事如意 平安吉祥 or "all things go as desired, peace and good fortune". As with all of Master Shi's engraved designs, the carving is done painstakingly by hand, in partnership with a close friend and master engraver.
The interior boasts a "pushed-in" style filter (内推孔), which although much more difficult to execute, ensures a smooth and even pour.
ABOUT THE CLAY
This is a high grade of pure HuangLong Shan golden duanni, a signature clay of Master Shi's house. The majority of clay used by the House of Shi is sourced from the collection of the family's close relative, Li Hong Yuan (李洪元). Unlike many other lesser duanni clays, this does not have a dark/dull look, but rather an internal radiance and a rich but barely visible undertone of purple. The granularity and interspersion of colors in the clay is unmatched.
Master Li is a renowned artisan, educator and collector of Yixing zisha, best known for publishing what has become the modern bible on zisha clay, a comprehensive 1000+page pictorial encyclopedia on clay ores and firing results. While not a major clay factory, his hand-selected clays are exceptional in quality and stand apart from those purchased on the broader market.
