The Half-Duoqiu Teapot
The Half-Duoqiu (半掇球) Teapot (also known as the "Half Duo"半掇) is a variation of the traditional Duoqiu Teapot. Its form is characterized by a hemispherical shape, as if a standard Duoqiu Teapot had been horizontally cut in half, retaining only the upper part.
Key Features
Formal Origin: Derived from the classic Duoqiu Teapot, this variation compresses the original structure—composed of three overlapping spheres (large, medium, and small)—into a single hemispherical whole, visually resembling "half of a Duoqiu."
Representative Example: During the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty, the Zisha potter Zi Yi made a "Flat Duo" that serves as a surviving example of the Half-Duoqiu form.
Structural Characteristics:
The body is a full, rounded hemisphere.
The lid is domed, forming a continuous arc.
The knob takes the shape of a small sphere.
The spout is short and slightly curved, while the handle is gently elongated.
The foot ring is close to the surface, enhancing the vessel’s stability.
The Half-Duoqiu Teapot is not a common form in modern mainstream teaware; its earliest known examples date back to the Qing dynasty in ancient China.
| Feature | Duo Qiu teapot | Half-Duoqiu Teapot |
| Overall shape | A complete composition of three stacked spheres: a large sphere for the body, a medium sphere for the lid, and a small sphere for the knob. | Hemispherical, resembling a Duoqiu that has been truncated. |
| Visual focus | Lofty and upright | Low and sturdy |
| Key construction points | Demands strict geometric proportions among the spheres. | Places greater emphasis on the volumetric presence of the hemisphere. |
