Shuang Quan (双圈) Di Cao Qing Yixing Teapot

Shuang Quan (Double Rings) Di Cao Qing Gongfu Teapot | Yixing Zisha 
小仿古 老紫泥 功夫小品 | 宜兴紫砂

Artist:   Qian Hong
Clay:   Di Cao Qing
Capacity:    230ml
Pour Time:    9s
Made in Dingshan, Yixing

The name Shuang Quan literally translates to "Double Rings", referring to the playful design of the lid handle. "Double Rings" is a classic design, earlier variations of which are said to hearken back to the early Qing; however, this exact shape was immortalized by the legendary Gu Jing Zhou (顾景舟). 

This piece is executed in an excellent Di Cao Qing clay and adorned with spiritual/Buddhist elements. The star of the show here are the dual moving rings on the lid -- these often are crudely made or lack "life" in poorer reproductions, but in this case, the artist has crafted them with great precision and beauty. Despite appearing as a simple cylinder, the body  actually curves subtly outwards giving the impression of fullness and contentment.

The engraving reads 禅味, roughly translated as "the taste of deep meditation", alongside a cross-legged meditating figure with his teapot. It is a reminder to savor the transcendent depth of one's tea practice, connecting the experience of taste and ritual to one's spiritual side. 

Commissioned from a veteran Zisha house, the Xia family, whose legacy includes having headed the Zisha production department of a Tier One ceramics and tea-ware manufacturer in the ‘90s. The artist Qian Hong is daughter-in-law to the Xia patriarch and is herself an experience artisan specializing in traditional pieces with a strong sense of function.

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 hot 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.