"Chuan Lu" Zisha Teapot
The Chuan Lu (传炉) is one of the most iconic shapes in Zisha teapot history. Originally a classic round design, it evolved into the Square Chuan Lu by the late Qing Dynasty. Nicknamed "Four-Legged Pig," its form pays homage to ancient bronze vessels.
Design & Craftsmanship
This teapot is a masterpiece of simplicity—smooth, unadorned, and balanced. It blends square and circular shapes harmoniously: round when viewed from the side, square from above, as if containing the ancient Chinese concept of "round sky, square earth" within its compact form.
Crafting it is notoriously difficult, ranking among the most challenging Zisha shapes. Made from fine purple clay, it features:
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A raised lid with a small knob
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A short neck and rounded belly
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Four stubby "milk toe" feet
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A gracefully curved spout and round handle
The Stories Behind Its Name
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The Alchemist’s Furnace
Legend ties it to Taoist elixir cauldrons. Ge Hong, a 4th-century alchemist, supposedly used a furnace (Chuan Lu) by Magu Spring (Jiangxi) to brew immortality pills. Today, tea drinkers use this teapot shape symbolically—sipping "longevity" from a miniature furnace. -
The Imperial Honor
In Ming/Qing dynasties, top scholars were summoned to the palace in a ceremony called Jin Dian Chuan Lu (金殿传胪, "throne hall name-calling"). The teapot’s name plays on this phrase, reflecting its status as a scholar’s refined companion.
A Legacy in Clay
Inspired by bronze artifacts yet perfected in Zisha, the Square Chuan Lu exudes dignified stability. Its crisp angles and soft curves mirror Confucian ideals—strength with gentleness, tradition with innovation. From Qing-era scholars to modern collectors, this design remains eternally fresh.
