Yuan Gai Fang Zhuan Hu - 160ml

The round-lidded square brick teapot, crafted by the Yixing Teapot Factory, embodies the ancient Chinese philosophy of "Heaven is round, Earth is square". A concept that seamlessly infuses the design with a sense of cosmic balance. This particular teapot is part of a set of four, each one etched with the image of one of the Si Jun Zi (Four Saints)—plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo—and paired with elegant calligraphic engravings. The bamboo, featured here, is beautifully rendered, its curves evoking the quiet elegance of a poem in stone.

The clay used in its creation, a mix of Pin Zi Ni from the mid-to-late 1980's, bears the weight of time. The texture is rugged, with a finer mesh and visible quartz particles, creating a surface that shines subtly, suggesting both strength and solidity. While it carries the firm voice of metal and stone, it remains rooted in the softness of clay. This delicate balance makes it ideal for brewing medium-to-ripe oolongs, younger-aged black teas, and Liu’an tea.

With a capacity of 160cc, the teapot pours steadily in about 11 seconds - a perfect arc of water flowing with grace and certainty, as if it instinctively knows where it’s going. Its small mouth requires a certain patience, whether you’re adding tea leaves or cleaning out the remnants of tea. In this way, the teapot becomes more than just a vessel—it transforms into a companion. Quiet and steadfast, it is the ideal partner for a fairness cup, allowing each pour to become a moment of careful, deliberate mindfulness.