

The Xi Shi teapot, originally known as the Wendan teapot, represents an exquisite refinement among teapots of its kind. It draws inspiration from the legendary beauty, Xi Shi. Its complete name is “Xi Shi Ru Hu,” which translates to “Xi Shi Breast Teapot.” The teapot’s graceful form resembles the voluptuousness of Xi Shi’s bosom, with its round body resembling a full breast, and the knob on the lid representing a nipple. The spout is elegantly curved, and the handle is designed in a pouring ear shape. The teapot showcases a truncated cover style, while the bottom exhibits a slight inward taper near its base, creating a distinctive aesthetic. However, as time passed, the term “Xi Shi Breast” was deemed inappropriate, leading to the teapot being commonly referred to as the “Xi Shi Teapot.”
The historical story of the Xi Shi teapot has been documented in the literature of Yixing teapots, and its initial creator was Master Xu Youquan.
Xu Youquan, the pioneer of this teapot style, received high praise from Wu Meiding, a scholar from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, who referred to Xu as “the one who combines the essence of the past and present, exhibits profound changes guided by the heart, and approaches the Dao through skillful craftsmanship.” Wu Meiding gained recognition for his 1,500-word poem titled “Yangxian Minghu Fu” (Ode to the Yangxian Teapot). Wu Meiding’s great-grandfather, Wu Yishan, was a successful scholar in the Ming Dynasty. Although it is unclear who exactly Wu Yishan was, his servant, known as “Gongchun,” gained fame. While serving the young master, Gongchun supposedly learned the art of teapot-making from the temple monks in Yixing. Inadvertently, he became the founder of purple clay teapots.
The lineage then continued with the “Four Great Masters,” Zhao Liang, Dong Han, Yuan Chang, and Shi Peng. Subsequently, Shi Peng’s son, Shi Dabin, rose to prominence, and one of his most talented students was Xu Youquan. Wu Meiding’s father had a close relationship with Xu Youquan and invited him to their home to study and create purple clay teapots, leading to a remarkable chapter in their story. Wu Meiding, deeply influenced by this environment, was unaware that his involvement and dedication had already left a significant mark on the history of purple clay teapots.
The design of the Xi Shi teapot can be described as follows:
The Xi Shi teapot is suitable for brewing the following types of tea: