Chapter 5
独妙
Unique Excellence
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of 659
Page 300

English Translation

The "Gu Jingzhou Teapot" is made from pure vermillion clay. The pot has a small mouth and large body, facilitating the entry and exit of tea leaves; the rounded drum-shaped body allows water to circulate and agitate easily; the bridge-shaped knob makes it convenient to lift the lid; the straight spout enables smooth water flow from the opening. The treatment of the shoulder line, mouth rim line, and base line is full and rounded, demonstrating the exquisite craftsmanship of tools such as the *leizi* and *xianggeng*, measured in millimeters. The level of craftsmanship in Gu Jingzhou's specialized purple clay tools can be glimpsed through this single pot. This pot reveals greatness within smallness, suitable for both appreciation and practical use—a rare and exquisite work among Gu Jingzhou's small teapot creations. This pot was made in 1980, with a total of five pieces produced, likely prepared specifically for his first visit to Hong Kong the following year. These five pots were respectively presented to Dai Xiangming, the second-generation successor of Tiehua Xuan; the painter Hu Shoushi; Tsang Chi-sing, the first director of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and his successor Tsang Kwai-chiu; as well as Yip Wing-chi, manager of Pisces Art Company Limited.