Dragon Egg Teapot

The Longdan (Dragon Egg) is a classic Yixing form, originally inspired by the natural shape of an egg. Unlike a perfect ellipse, a real egg is slightly pointed at one end and flatter at the other. This teapot follows that organic morphology, with the bottom subtly truncated to ensure stability. This particular rendition, however, introduces unique refinements: the body is slightly lower and its lines are softer, bringing it closer to the rounded charm of the Wendan form. The result is a small pot that balances tradition with fresh, thoughtful design.

• ▸ Natural egg silhouette The body follows the true egg shape: slightly pointed at the top, round and full below, with a flat cut at the very bottom for stable placement. The overall stance is grounded yet organic.
• ▸ Wendan‑like softness Compared to traditional dragon egg pots, this version is shorter and more relaxed in profile. The lines are gentle and flowing, closely resembling the beloved Wendan form—plump, soft, and inviting.
• ▸ Half‑exposed, half‑concealed joints The spout and handle are attached using a rare semi‑ming (half‑exposed) technique: part of the joint is deliberately visible, part is smoothed into the body. This creates a nuanced play of concealment and revelation, adding visual interest.
• ▸ Bamboo hat knob & pressed lid The lid is a pressed‑cut (ya jie) design, topped with a rice‑hat (li mao) shaped knob—reminiscent of a traditional conical hat. It is compact and charming.
• ▸ Conical spout & inverted handle The spout is conical and short, delivering a focused, clean pour. The inverted (dao) handle curves gracefully, its arc echoing the body’s soft lines.
• ▸ Small pressed base (xiao na di) A tiny concave indent at the bottom—a “small pressed base”—adds a playful, lively touch. It is a subtle detail that enhances the pot’s overall delicacy.
• ▸ Inscription: “Shijing · Fuzhu fanggu zhi” The body is carved with the characters “诗境” (Shijing – poetic realm) followed by “辅筑仿古制” (Fuzhu fanggu zhi – made in antique style by Fuzhu). The poetic sentiment matches the pot’s refined, scholarly character.
• ▸ Laoduan clay texture This aged Duan clay (a type of Cinnabar Clay) is rich with visible sand grains, yet when touched, it feels surprisingly smooth and warm—not rough at all. It offers the antique, rustic look of Duan clay with a comfortable, skin‑friendly finish. Ideal for mellowing oolongs, pu’er, and black teas.