Pumpkin Teapot

True artistry never shouts. It lies in the quiet refusal to compromise. This Pumpkin (Nangua) teapot by Ding Yun captures that spirit from the very first touch—charming and unconventional. The body is not a perfect sphere but rather the relaxed, organic shape of a ripe field pumpkin. Subtle indentations on the shoulder mimic a pumpkin that has grown hollow, with wrinkles, curves, and ridges flowing naturally, their depths appearing effortless yet deliberate.

• ▸ Natural pumpkin body Irregular, relaxed curves. Shoulder indentations and ribbed depressions follow the vegetable’s natural growth, creating a spontaneous, rustic charm.
• ▸ Five‑square spout (wǔ fāng xìng zuǐ) Instead of the usual round opening, Ding Yun sculpts a five‑sided spout with distinct edges. From the front, it resembles a five‑pointed star – vigorous, slightly hooked at the tip, balancing floral whimsy with square‑ware strength.
• ▸ Withered‑vine handle A masterpiece of texturing. Starting thick at the body connection, it gradually tapers and splits into two small dry twigs that gently support the spout. The handle goes from coarse to fine, then forks – like a withered vine climbing over the pumpkin, yet stable and well‑anchored.
• ▸ Six‑lobed lid & dried‑vine knob The lid replicates the upper half of a pumpkin, with six gently raised lobes and a softly inward‑curving rim – full and fleshy, echoing the body’s depressions. The press‑fit lid is perfectly flush. The knob continues the withered‑vine theme, rough yet quietly powerful.
• ▸ Huanglongshan Raw Zisha Sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine, this premium Zisha (Cinnabar Clay) fires to a rich purple‑brown with subtle mica specks. With use, it develops a warm, jade‑like patina – ideal for dark teas, ripe pu’er, and oolongs.
• ▸ Masterful fusion Ding Yun seamlessly blends the freedom of floral‑ware, the structural rigor of square‑ware, the wildness of nature, and daily practicality. Every angle, every chamfer shows deep thought. The more you use it, the more it reveals.