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.
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 fully-handmade teapot is modeled on one of So-Han's shu Pu'er teapot. It is made of Dai red clay and decorated with white Dai clay slip in a classical Chinese cloud motif. The medium-fire, unglazed clay is porous and absorbs the flavor and essence of teas made in it, meaning that this pot can and should be dedicated to a single type of tea. Being from Yunnan, and made of Yunnan clay, this pot is especially suitable for Pu'er, both Sheng and Shu, but can be used for any kind of tea that responds well to high temperature. Its round belly and narrow mouth allow it to retain heat very effectively.
Acquired several years ago as a one-off creation of the Dai Xiang Studio in Xishuangbanna, So-Han has used the original pot extensively both in the tea house and on the Youtube show Gong Fu Tea|chA. It has garnered many fans over the years and enough people wanted their own versions of it that we commissioned the original artisans at Dai Xiang to make a limited run. Each one is fully handmade and unique, having slightly different shapes and capacities, and bearing a distinctive coloration based on their position in the kiln. With dedicated use, these pots will acquire a deep patina and enhance the flavor of tea made in them. These sizable pots are around 230 ml.