【Bamboo-Piao】 Artist: Chen Weihong (Intangible Cultural Heritage inheritor) Clay: Jiangponi Capacity: 130cc Engraving: lettering by Yunqing

【Bamboo Gourd】
Artist: Chen Weihong (Intangible Cultural Heritage inheritor)
Clay: Jiangponi clay
Capacity: 130 cc
Carving and painting: Yunqing engraving

About the work:
Jiangponi clay glows with warm brown and golden hues, while the bamboo gourd form embodies refined elegance.
Carved bamboo patterns conceal a touch of rustic charm, while painted flowers and birds adorn the clay with the beauty of spring.
A gourdful of clear tea holds the aura of clouds; the fragrance filling the room calls forth the sound of crane flutes.
Leisurely admiring the exquisite brushwork on the pot, one finds freedom in both poetic feeling and the flavor of tea.

I. Origins of the Form
The Bamboo Gourd teapot combines the “Stone Ladle form” with bamboo craftsmanship. The body follows a gourd-shaped outline, while the spout, handle, and lid knob are all designed in the form of bamboo joints, with lines that are strong yet refined. It retains the stability and practicality of the Stone Ladle while incorporating the natural charm of bamboo ware, creating an innovative fusion of “plain ware” and “bionic ware” craftsmanship.

II. Characteristics of the Clay
“Jiangponi clay” comes from the strata between the hillsides of Huanglongshan and Qinglongshan in Dingshu Town, Yixing. It has a warm brownish-yellow color, and its clay contains fine particles, giving it a rustic yet delicate texture. Its breathability is excellent; after being seasoned through use, the clay color becomes increasingly warm and lustrous. The subtle grain remains faintly visible, providing an antique and elegant foundation for the carving and painting.

III. Craftsmanship and Cultural Significance
The body of the teapot features carving and painting depicting “flowers, birds, and peonies”:
First, carving tools are used to delineate the texture of the bamboo joints and the outline of the gourd-shaped body. Mineral pigments are then applied in clay to fill in the colors - the birds’ feathers are vibrant and lively, the peonies luxurious and full-bodied. Paired with elegantly engraved poetic lines, the design unites the vitality and charm of “birdsong and floral fragrance” with the auspicious symbolism of “peony prosperity,” giving the teapot both artistic appeal and cultural resonance.