Mutton Fat Jade Porcelain Xishi Teapot 羊脂玉瓷西施茶壺

Mutton Fat Jade Porcelain Xi Shi Teapot (羊脂玉瓷西施茶壺, Yáng Zhī Yù Cí Xī Shī Chá Hú, "Mutton Fat Jade Porcelain Xi Shi Teapot") - Mutton Fat Jade Porcelain is one of our most exciting ceramic discoveries of last year. It is a recent creation by potters in Dehua, Fujian, one of China's porcelain capitals (along with Jingdezhen). Dehua is famous for their carved porcelain statuary, where the emphasis is on the texture of the clay and the character of the naked clay body, as opposed to Jingdezhen which is known for the painting on the surface of their wares.This strikingly-white, raw (unglazed) porcelain has an ethereal luminous quality to it that is achieved through a very specific ratio of flux to kaolin in the clay blend. This ratio must fall within a very narrow window to create the combination of a soft, matte finish with radiant translucence that gives this clay its name. The subsurface scattering of light through this porcelain is reminiscent of snow, beeswax, or, apparently, mutton fat. It is an excellent insulator and despite being unglazed is vitrified enough to make any kind of tea without taking on its flavor. Unlike normal raw porcelain, it doesn't stain easily - simply washing it with hot water and wiping it clean after each use is enough to maintain its brilliant whiteness through months of daily use. It will eventually begin to take on a soft ivory patina which can be easily removed with baking soda. Despite being unornamented white porcelain - the most standard of teaware materials - these wares never fail to turn heads when they're brought out. 

This ~150 ml teapot is a Xishi pot, one of the most famous tea pot forms. Modeled after the breasts of the Imperial Concubine Xishi, one of classical China's four renowned beauties, the round shape of the pot extends beyond its Freudian appeal because the highly-efficient shape allows for full expansion of leaves and convection of water. This beautiful Xishi pot features an incredibly fine, expanded golf-ball style filter for a graceful, powerful pour that is nearly impossible to clog. The feeling of the pot with its soft matte texture is irresistible, especially when it's warm. We dare you not to rub your face on it.