Description

The History of Gong Deng – Royal Lantern Teapot

During the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty, there was an old man who designed a beautiful paper lantern. This lantern was so beautifully crafted that a county official decided to present it as a tribute to the imperial palace. The emperor was impressed by the lantern’s elegant shape and intricate patterns, and ordered it to be used exclusively within the palace walls.

Years later, when Yixing teapot makers were looking for inspiration for new designs, they remembered the legendary palace lantern from generations ago. Drawing upon its graceful silhouette and opening resembling a glowing lantern, they created the first “Gong Deng” teapot.

With its square base and flowing curves, the Gong Deng teapot embodied the natural simplicity and refined beauty that people of ancient times admired. Yet its classic form also appealed to modern sensibilities. The Gong Deng remains one of the most popular Yixing pot shapes today, favored for brewing tea and as a treasured piece for collections. Its endurance is a testament to the old craftsman whose creativity lit the way for this iconic teapot centuries later.