Dai teapots are relatively new to the Chinese tea ware scene, as the small-format Gong Fu style of tea service has only recently become popular among the Dai people of Southern Yunnan. Like Yixing, Chaozhou, Jianshui, and Nixing teapots, Dai teapots are handcrafted and are traditionally dedicated to a single type of tea.
These pots are produced by Dai Xiang Studio, located in the heart of Jinghong, capital of Xishuangbanna, Austin's sister city in China. They continue the ancient pottery tradition of the Dai people, one of China's 57 official ethnic groups and the majority population in Xishuangbanna. Their work incorporates traditional Dai motifs, techniques, and clay to make stunning unglazed wares.
This beautiful pot is a Xishi Hu, named after Xishi, one of the four beauties of ancient China. The round body is accentuated by the naturalistic round leaf adorning one side. The leaf features intricate veins that highlight the roundness of the pot. The exquisite dark Dai clay body provides a sharply contrasted backdrop to the beige slip-painting. This pot is ~215 ml.
