Chapter 4
化神
Spiritual Transformation
138
of 659
Page 138

English Translation

The "Chuan Lu" teapot features a bulging body with four conical feet at the base. Square yet round, robust and upright, it represents a classic form in Yixing pottery and was particularly favored from the Qing Dynasty through the early Republican period. This "Chuan Lu" teapot by Gu Jingzhou was crafted in 1934. Based on a square form, it incorporates the graceful characteristics of round vessels. The upper and lower edges and corners of the body were smoothed with a wooden paddle, creating an overall shape that blends square and round elements with natural elegance. The handle is of the upright ear style, firm and powerful. The recessed lid, rim line, and lid plate line all feature rounded square corners that fit tightly together, rotating smoothly in all four directions. The square-round knob coordinates harmoniously with the body. The attached nail feet take an inverted conical shape, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, adding a sense of lightness to the overall form. The body bears an inscription by the renowned carving master Lan Ruzheng, featuring passages from the Song Dynasty poet Wu Shu's *Tea Rhapsody*. The knife technique is skillfully executed and fluid, further enhancing the teapot's refined elegance.