Description

How does Duo Qiu 掇球 get its name?

The Duo Qiu teapot is a classic of the round Yixing teapots, sharing the same origin as the Lianzi pot. As the name implies, the Duo Qiu pot is shaped like multiple spheres stacked together. From top to bottom, each round section interconnects seamlessly with the next, creating a harmonious whole.

Viewed through the lens of modern aesthetics, the Duo Qiu teapot embodies proportion, spirit, rhythm, flow, contrast, balance, coordination, and responsiveness – truly a work of refined beauty. Throughout history, many great masters have explored and created their own interpretations of the Duo Qiu form. Among them, three stand out as the epitomes of this classic shape.

Traditionally, crafting a Duo Qiu teapot in Yixing clay was incredibly difficult. Despite its simple appearance of stacked spherical sections, connecting them into one cohesive piece required great skill.

The Chinese character “duo” means to pick up, select, or obtain, and also connects to the idea of stringing together. Thus, the name Duo Qiu literally translates to “stringing together spheres.” The master potters carefully choose and arrange multiple orb-like forms using aesthetic principles to create the Duo Qiu’s harmonious whole.