The Xishi Teapot: A Simple Beauty
Xishi is known as one of the four great beauties in ancient China. The Xishi Teapot is named after her because it is as beautiful.
This teapot was originally called "Wendan Teapot."According to ancient texts, Wu Meiding's "Yangxian Minghu Fu" states that the most elegant form of the "Wendan Teapot" was originally named "Xishi Ru" (literally "Xishi's Breast"), describing the teapot's shape as resembling the full breast of the beauty Xishi.
The lid knob looks like a nipple, the spout is short and a little thick, and the body is round and full. Later, people thought the name was not so elegant, so they changed it to "Daoba Xishi Teapot."
The Xishi Teapot has a very simple and smooth design. Its surface is smooth, and its lines are soft. The spout is short, like a beauty’s small mouth. The handle is thin and round, like her soft waist. It does not have many decorations, but it looks pure and natural, like a lotus flower coming out of clear water.
Every part of the teapot has a meaning. The smooth lines stand for a gentle and kind character. The round body represents the virtue of hard work and patience. The whole teapot is calm and elegant, showing both inner strength and outer beauty.
Different artists make this teapot in slightly different ways. Some make it rounder, some a little taller. But the main idea is always the same—simple and beautiful.
The Xishi Teapot is one of the most classic and loved teapots in Yixing clay art. It is not a teapot, but a symbol of traditional beauty and virtue.
