Born in Jiangsu, Yixing, from an established pottery family, a recognized national arts and crafts artist, and a Chinese Purple Sand Industry Association member. Since childhood, he has apprenticed to Zhiqiang Bao and master Yuntang Shi. Over decades of diligent study and practice with great concentration, he produces simple, elegant, and meaningful works.
Within the realm of Yixing pottery, Benshan Lu Ni is esteemed for its exceptional difficulty in manipulation. There exists a maxim among artisans: "If one does not possess the skill to craft a Zhuni teapot, one should refrain from handling Benshan Lüni," emphasizing its challenging nature. It is recognized as a "clay within clay," located as thin layers—often merely a few centimeters thick—within seams of Purple Clay (Zini) deep in Huanglong Mountain. Its extraction is arduous, and its yield is minimal, rendering it considerably rarer and more valuable than conventional Zisha clays.
High Shrinkage and Cracking: The clay exhibits an exceedingly high shrinkage rate—approximately 25%, akin to the delicate Zhuni clay—and is prone to warping or cracking during drying and firing, resulting in a low success rate for finished products. The clay's remarkable breathability and relatively low thermal conductivity render it particularly suitable for teas where the preservation of fresh aromas is desired, and avoid over-brewing the delicate leaves. It pairs best with Green Tea and Light Oolongs. Due to its rarity and delicate nature, connoisseurs often use it in teas with subtle flavors that could be overpowered by denser clays. It is recommended to avoid using strong, dark teas like ripe Pu-erh in Lu Ni pots, as they will stain the light clay and dominate the seasoning.
Artist:
Hua Jun Chen (b. 1973)
Clay:
Yuan Kuang Ben Shan Lu Ni 原矿本山绿泥
Shape:
Si Ting 思亭
Production:
Pure Handmade
Origin:
Made in Yixing, China
View all Yixing Zisha
Notes:
Decorative, padded box with artist's certification and attestation. Each handmade piece utilizes high-grade, tested clays and showcases unique variations. Please ensure the sizing is accurate, as our premium teas often require smaller teaware than expected.
Capacity:
140ml
Size:
11x7x9cm
Preparation For Use:
We recommend rinsing the teapot twice with purified or bottled (the same as for making tea) warm water, then filling it with boiling water and emptying it two to three times. After this preparation, the teapot is ready for use.
