Purple Clay Teapot Shapes
Round Teapots
Yixing round teapots offer a rich variety of designs, epitomizing the traditional saying, “No two rounds are alike.” The craftsmanship demands that the shape achieves qualities of “roundness, stability, balance, and symmetry.” They embody both softness and strength, achieving harmony between the two. Round teapots feature transitions between the shoulder, belly, base, lid, spout, and handle that reveal a balance of form and substance. The overall aesthetic strives for an artistic effect of “smooth and polished perfection.
Square Teapots
Square teapots emphasize the concept of “roundness within squareness.” They require precise craftsmanship to achieve a balance between lines, angles, and surfaces. The design must be crisp and well-defined, with seamless alignment between the lid and mouth, ensuring a tight and accurate fit. The spout and handle are meticulously aligned for structural unity. The overall impression is one of dignity and stability, with the lid easily interchangeable in any direction.
Floral and Sculptural Teapots
Floral teapots take direct inspiration from nature, incorporating the forms of fruits, flowers, plants, birds, animals, and fish. These designs transform natural shapes into artistic expressions for Yixing teapots. Their guiding principle is to be “rooted in nature but elevated beyond it.” The shapes strike a balance between artistic exaggeration and elegant style, vividly capturing the beauty of the natural forms they depict while emphasizing their aesthetic value.
Ribbed Teapots
Ribbed teapots draw inspiration from natural patterns such as melon ridges, flower petals, or cloud and water motifs. These designs incorporate both vertical and horizontal divisions, with smooth rotational symmetry. The lid and body are interchangeable, ensuring a perfect fit. The ribbing is consistent both inside and out, with meticulously aligned grooves that form a unified and rhythmic pattern. The overall look is neat, elegant, and imbued with a sense of movement and vitality.
Overhead-Handle Teapots
Overhead-handle teapots feature a prominent handle arching above the body, and they come in two main styles: plain and decorative. Plain styles are typically paired with simple teapot designs, while decorative handles are used in more elaborate, nature-inspired forms. These teapots also vary in handle materials, such as metal, bamboo, or rattan. The contrast between the solid teapot body and the arched handle creates an appealing interplay of form, resulting in a distinctive and aesthetically pleasing design.