I know I have some time to decide but I was wondering these shapes or types of clay lend them selves to certain types of teas. I drink black/red tea, oolong, young raw puerh (nothing more than 20 years old) and shou puerh.
I tried to buy good quality pots new pots (wish I knew how to buy vintage ones). I believe they are all hand formed (no idea though since I don't speak Mandarin and everyone says their pots a completely hand made of the best quality clay)
Left to right:
1) "Coin" colored Duani, 150ml, 124 grams, the walls are thick and the clay seems very porous, 9 holes. I bought this pot and the second from a tea market in Shanghai. This pot was made by an "assistant professional" according to the paperwork (translated by Google). I met the artist and she said the clay has been in her family for over 60 years. Her mother made the second pot 2)
2) Red clay (I don't know if it is Zhuni or Hongni), 140ml, 95 grams, thin walls (second thinnest I have), 7 holes. Made by a master craftswoman. Her website is www.chinatangshi.com She does some bamboo woven yixing pots which are amazing.
3) Red clay (I again don't know what type), 150ml, 77grams, very thin walls, 7 holes. Purchased this one in Nanjing. What I was told that the artist is a master craftswoman and that together with her husband they own a klin or a clay factory.....or something.
4) Zhuni, 120ml, 140 grams, thick walls, 7 holes, hand formed. Bought this one from a local store.
Is there a place which shows the names of the traditional shapes? I don't think the Duani one is a traditional shape.
