Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Yixing clay is often used as an umbrella term to describe several distinct types of clay used to make
stoneware.
Purple Sand clay is made from Yixing clay.
This traditional style was commonly used to brew tea in China.
It dates back to the 15th century.
Archaeological excavations have revealed that as early as the Song Dynasty 10th century, potters near Yixing were using local "zisha" clay to make utensils
that could have functioned as teapots.
The late Ming Dynasty author Zhou Gaoqi stated that during the reign of the
Zhengde Emperor (15021521) a monk from Jinsha Temple - Golden Sand
Temple in Yixing handcrafted a fine quality teapot from local clay.
These fine quality teapots soon became popular among the scholarly class, and
the fame of Yixing teapots began to spread.
Zisha or ; literally means purple sand/clay. This stoneware has a purple-redbrown color. Producing region for this clay is Jiangsu Yixing Zhao
Zhuangshan, Huanglong mountain.
Teapots made with this clay fire at approximately 1065~1700 degrees C.
The contraction ratio for this clay is high and therefore fired under high temperatures. The
clay is sentive and does not do well with larger wares. It has the tendency to crack, deform
and sand partiicles fall out after firing. Working with the clay requires patience and great
skill. Due to its high porosity the teapot made from this clay brews tea
very well due to it excellent air convection. The best types of teas to brew
in a Zisha clay teapot is the Tit Kuan Yin, Taiwan High Mountain, Oolong
and Puer.
Cautionary Tale: On March 10, 2011 the Yixing Teapot Art Institute in
China reported that there was a massive recall of Yixing Teapots because
it was uncovered by a reporter that the manufacturer has deliberately
use toxic coloring to achieve the Purple Clay clay.
See Following:
Media exposure beauty purple pot purple clay liner is made with the Land
and, in order to make it close to purple in color, many manufacturers add iron
Pink, manganese dioxide and other chemicals for dyeing, at the same time
being there are nine positive brand exposure . A time to have purple pot
shelves. May 26 afternoon, the reporter deliberately visited Jinan Suning,
Gome, triple trading company, several large supermarkets and stores more
information about the handling of purple pot. Jinan, the survey found that all of
America, nine Yang Yixing pot can be fully refunded ( March 10, 2011 05:40:48
Source: Purple House Editor: Zi Yan)
Duan Ni ; literally means fortified clay. It is a type of stoneware that was formulated
using various stones and minerals in addition to Zi Ni or Zhu Ni clay. This results in various
textures and colors, ranging from beige, blue, and green (), to black.
Ben Shan Lu Ni is formed within the layers of the purple clay
of the Huang Long Mountain rock formation.
The ancient name is known as the Li Pi clay Pear Skin clay or the Dragon Tendons.
When compared with Ben Shan Lu Ni clay it is as if having colored dots all over this thin layer of
dull white chiffon clay.
From the density of the dark particles, it is clear that
Sesame Duan have significantly larger black particle density.
The color of Sesame Duan is highlighted and the layer of it is much clearer.
Although Sesame Duan also has white particles.
These particle numbers are small and visibility is low.
On the whole the color tone of Sesame Duan is cold and rigid.
The differences between the clays are even more obvious after using the pot for brewing tea for a
period of time.
Ben Shan Lu Ni will show a greenish hue.
The beige base color will become more intense, soft and moist like Jade.
In contrast, the red particles in Sesame Duan will become dark red.
If the pot is used to brew Puer Tea the patina will increase and intensify.
Long term brewing with Pure turns the pot to grow in reddish color.
Ben Shan Lu Ni feels smooth before and even after brewing with tea.
Sesame Duan in contrast will feel rough and grainy.