Heralding Spring "Bao Chun" (报春) Golden Duanni Yixing Teapot

Heralding Spring "Bao Chun" Golden Duanni Teapot | Yixing Zisha
报春 黄金段泥 | 宜兴紫砂

Artist:    Wu Hong Fang, ranked "National Arts & Crafts Master"
Clay:    Golden Duanni
Capacity:    180ml
Made in artist's studio in the old Factory 1 grounds, Dingshan, Yixing

ABOUT THE TEAPOT

A stunning classic design, ranking among some of Master Wu Hong Fang's most impressive creations thus far, executed in an extraordinarily rich, granular Golden Duanni clay that promises to develop a lovely deep patina.

The Bao Chun is particularly difficult to execute well in the smaller formats preferred today -- historically important examples have frequently been much larger and shrinking the design requires a sharp eye for proportion and line. Here, Master Wu has managed to retain all the liveliness and exuberance of nature from the original design, while keeping the overall form super clean and tight. For that reason, floral ornamentation is highly restrained, but what is presented is executed with the highest precision -- a close examination of the plum blossom flowers or the natural texture of the branches will tell. This is an exquisite piece worthy of the finest tea settings.

The Bao Chun shape should be familiar to collectors as one of the most iconic displays of nature-inspired pieces (Hua Qi 花器). A relatively more contemporary design, it dates from the early '70s Factory 1 era and is attributed to Zhu Ke Xing (朱可心), who is said to have come up with the design in order to help rejuvenate the flagging sales and interest in Factory 1 products, which were gradually being seen as old-fashioned and losing contemporary relevance. Master Zhu thus turned to less traditional sources for inspiration -- the final Bao Chun concept is said to have stemmed from an older mid-'50s design of clay coffee pots (with similar "chicken-heart shaped body) intended for export to Europe, upon which Master Zhu now refined into a more delicate appearance and added floral ornamentation. The result -- a joyous and uplifting celebration of Spring, and a perfect showcase for the intricate craftsmanship that Yixing artisans were famed for.

The creator of this piece is Master Wu Hong Fang, a senior Zisha artist who started her career as Zisha apprentice in factory 1 in the 80s. She works wonders with her signature clays of Zini, Di Cao Qing and Jiang Po Ni, each piece retaining the glazed iron color and stone-textured finish. 

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 are with the lid removed. 

Other tips:
-    Never use detergent or any other cleaning agent on Zisha!
-    Our Zisha is to 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.