National Master Potter Tang Xianwu brings her famously iconic faceting work to this masterwork yixing teapot.

Yet instead of a purely geometric form, Tang Xianwu takes up the challenge of incorporating the organic spirit of the water caltrop, with its curves, multiplied into each facet for a construction with the daring and drama of Tang Xianwu’s purely geometric pieces, but the precision, warmth, and evocative spirit of her organic pieces inspired by natural objects of scholarly contemplation.

The water caltrop has historic significance as an offering to leave with incense, and as a traditional Chinese medicine. All the more fitting to evoke the form of the caltrop in a teapot whose purpose is both ritualistic and medicinal in brewing gongfu tea. 

Tang Xianwu’s fame and recognition comes with access to incredible, rare, mottled clays like this original deposit Di Cao Qing, a clay that will grow deeper, darker and more lustrous over a lifetime of joyful brewing.

National Master Potter Tang Xianwu has gained steady fame and accolades over the years, winning awards at every competition, so we are excited to still be able to offer her work due to a long working relationship.

The pictures speak for themselves, showing the precision and artistry of her work through the mirrored pot body and lid handle, the perfect fit of the lid and the curves themselves. What the pictures can’t show is the tactile joy of holding a piece like this one, the way it feels in the hand, the way it pours, and the way it fits together.