Exploring Traditional Handicrafts | Purple Clay

As a brilliant pearl in Chinese tea culture, it not only carries profound cultural heritage but also is an indispensable utensil in the art of making tea. Purple clay teapots are deeply loved by tea enthusiasts for their unique materials, shapes and craftsmanship.

Purple clay first emerged in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China. This area is renowned for its abundant purple clay resources. Its uniqueness lies in being made with the local distinctive purple clay, which has fine texture, high temperature resistance and good air permeability.

The origin and development of purple clay:
· Song Dynasty (960 - 1279): The production of purple clay utensils began during this period. The initial purple clay forms were relatively simple and mainly used in daily life.
· Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644): The craftsmanship of purple clay teapots significantly developed during the Ming Dynasty and began to be appreciated by scholars and literati. During this period, purple clay teapots had significant improvements in design and craftsmanship.
· Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911): In the Qing Dynasty, the production of purple clay teapots reached its peak, especially during the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. During this period, purple clay teapots had great enhancements in both artistry and practicality.

The production process of purple clay teapots:
· Material selection: Select high-quality purple clay. This kind of clay is unique, with a high iron content and good air permeability.
· Clay mixing: Mix and knead the purple clay to achieve the texture and softness suitable for making teapots.
· Shaping: Shape by hand according to the design drawing. This process can be carried out through various methods such as throwing on the wheel or hand shaping.
· Carving: Conduct carving and decoration when the clay is semi-dry.
· Air drying: Air dry the made teapot body naturally to prepare for firing.
· Firing: Fire at a specific high temperature. Purple clay teapots are usually fired at a temperature of approximately 1100°C to 1200°C.
· Grinding and inspection: After firing, grind and finely process the teapot body to ensure its appearance and texture meet the standards.