【Qianlong Era Style Dragon Egg Teapot】National Arts and Crafts Master Liu Hong | Purely Handmade

【Local Taiwanese Vendor | Comprehensive After-Sales Support】 【Each Piece Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity】 【National Arts and Crafts Master Liu Hong】 A native of Yixing, Jiangsu, Liu Hong began his apprenticeship in 2010, following the lineage of Master Gu Jingzhou's disciples, to systematically learn the traditional handmade pottery techniques of intangible cultural heritage. He currently studies under Zhou Yijuan, a renowned master of Zisha pottery and a Jiangsu Provincial Arts and Crafts Master. He has also received guidance from his grand-master, Xu Hantang, a direct disciple of Gu Jingzhou and a Chinese Arts and Crafts Master, as well as Xu Yuanming, a Jiangsu Provincial Arts and Crafts Master. Through diligent practice and emulation, he has benefited greatly. For over a decade, he has specialized in the exploration and creation of plain Zisha teapots, with a particular talent for recreating and custom-making classic Ming and Qing dynasty tea vessels. His works are refined in form, exuding an elegant, ancient charm, and have won numerous awards in major exhibitions. He is a young Zisha ceramic artist of considerable potential and skill. 【Huanglong Mountain Zhu Sha Clay】 The "Zhu Sha" we refer to today is not the same concept as the "Zhu Sha" of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The "Zhu Sha" of the Ming and Qing periods emphasized color, meaning it resembled the color of cinnabar, rather than being made from cinnabar ore. In the modern sense, "Zhu Sha" is a type of Zhu Ni (vermilion clay), and besides its similar color, the focus is on its "texture" (sandiness). We call Zhu Ni with prominent particles and a strong sandy texture after firing "Zhu Sha." Raw ore Zhu Sha clay is also found in the Nian Ni (young clay) ore deposits. It is essentially a block of mudstone formed from Zhu Ni due to prolonged weathering, hence its name "rock within the mud." Zhu Ni is mud, while Zhu Sha is mudstone. Zhu Sha appears like mud externally, but internally it is as hard as stubborn rock, yet it disperses upon contact with water. Most raw ore is earthy yellow, originating from volcanic ash deposits. It is yellowish with a hint of red, has a muddy structure, and good viscosity. After firing, it develops a vibrant color with prominent particles and a strong sandy texture. Compared to Zhu Ni, Zhu Sha has undergone longer weathering, transforming from clay into mudstone. It has a richer quartz content, shrinks less, requires a higher firing temperature, has a rougher cross-section, good breathability, and a strong sandy texture. Compared to blended Zhu Sha, the particles in raw ore Zhu Sha are distributed more naturally, unlike the uniform distribution in blended Zhu Sha. It performs exceptionally well with hot water infusions, making it an effective tool for "killing tea"! However, the difficulty in crafting lies in its coarse and heavy sandiness, making it challenging to smooth with a spatula. During firing, it is prone to sand popping. Thin sections and joints are particularly difficult to handle. Uneven shrinkage occurs in areas with uneven particle distribution, easily leading to issues like crooked handles or lids. Therefore, achieving a perfect piece is rare and a matter of serendipity. 【Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)】 1. How to prepare the teapot before first use? Clean the inside and outside thoroughly. A vegetable scrubber is recommended; do not use chemical agents. Simply rinse with water, and it is ready for use. 2. How to maintain the teapot? After each use, keep it clean and dry to prevent tea stains. Store it in a well-ventilated area. For long-term storage in its box, allow it to air dry naturally for 1-2 months to ensure sufficient moisture evaporation from the pores, preventing mold. 3. How to clean tea stains or mold? Soak with enzyme cleaner. 4. How to properly warm the teapot? During cold weather or after prolonged disuse, pour 40°C warm water over the inside and outside of the teapot, then fill it completely. This allows the Zisha pores to fully absorb moisture. 5. How to care for pieces with engravings? For teapots with engravings, cleaning with a soft brush is recommended. 6. What if the item is damaged during shipping? Yan Huang Da Di Art fully covers shipping safety. If any damage occurs, please contact customer service immediately. 7. Our shop's products are also sold through physical channels. Handmade items are supplied in limited quantities. Please inquire about stock availability before purchasing. 8. All product images are of the actual items. Due to variations in computer screen colors, lighting conditions, and other factors, there may be slight differences between the photos and the actual product. The actual product shall prevail.