Gongzhu (Tribute Pearl) Teapot

Hu Sizhong is a rising star among young Yixing potters, known for his mastery of classic round forms. He studied under the renowned artist Wang Qiang, and the Gongzhu (Tribute Pearl) is precisely one of Wang Qiang’s signature designs. This form belongs to the traditional round pearl category, with origins tracing back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Named for its resemblance to a tribute pearl—round, lustrous, and precious—the Gongzhu teapot embodies the ideal of “pearl‑round, jade‑smooth” (珠圆玉润). Hu Sizhong’s rendition captures this essence with exceptional precision.

• ▸ Spherical, pearl‑like body The body is almost perfectly spherical, with a richly rounded shoulder that flows naturally into a full belly. The curve then converges toward the base without any visible seam—clean, continuous, and graceful. The overall impression is端庄秀气 (dignified and refined).
• ▸ Full‑handmade construction The entire body is formed using traditional full‑handmade paddling techniques. The pressed lid (ya gai) fits seamlessly with the mouth rim, with no perceptible gap.
• ▸ Inverted knob The knob is shaped like a miniature inverted version of the pot body—small, lively, and echoing the spherical theme. This playful detail adds unity to the design.
• ▸ Flared short spout (喇叭短嘴) The spout is short and flared like a trumpet, with a slightly elongated mouth rim. It delivers a focused, clean pour while maintaining a soft, harmonious line.
• ▸ One‑press base (yi na di) The base is finished with a traditional concave “one‑press” bottom, eliminating the need for a separate foot ring. This creates a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette from belly to base.
• ▸ Zhima Duan clay character This Zhima Duan (Sesame Duan) is a type of Cinnabar Clay, named for its fine, sesame‑like dark speckles distributed across a warm beige background. It offers excellent breathability, making it ideal for raw pu’er (sheng pu). The clay mellows the tea’s astringency and enhances its natural sweetness and layered aroma.
• ▸ Perfect for raw pu’er The 180 cc capacity is ideal for savoring raw pu’er over multiple infusions. The spherical body allows leaves to fully expand, while the Duan clay’s porosity ensures a clean, bright infusion. Each sip reveals the tea’s evolving character.