Chapter 5
独妙
Unique Excellence
236
of 659
Page 236

English Translation

The "Tibì Pot" was created with the participation of Professor Gao Zhuang from the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts in its design. From the initial conceptual sketches to the completion of the clay prototype, it underwent numerous revisions, finally taking its definitive form in 1978—a process that spanned twenty years. In 1988, the lid surface was further modified into a jade bi-disc shape, resulting in the creation of the "Jade Bi-Disc Lid Lifting Handle Pot." The "Tibì Pot" deeply embeds Chinese jade culture throughout the entire vessel body, exuding refined elegance and simple, lustrous beauty. The body is cylindrical in shape, slightly flaring outward near the base before folding inward to form a rounded bottom, with naturally flowing lines. The structure is rigorous, balancing strength and softness, with crisp and fluid lines and surfaces. The structural proportions are well-balanced, with clear variations between solid and void, achieving harmonious unity of content, form, and function. It represents a perfect fusion of Yixing clay material, craftsmanship, and modern artistic design, fully demonstrating the material beauty, formal beauty, functional beauty, and artistic conception beauty of Yixing clay. In 1994, Gu Jingzhou's "Tibì Pot" was selected for inclusion in the China Post *Yixing Zisha Pottery* (1994-5) special commemorative stamp series.