These "Western-style barrel teapots" not only featured smooth lines, well-proportioned dimensions, meticulous craftsmanship, and exceptional elegance, but were also adorned with inscribed calligraphy and seal engravings, earning widespread admiration. In the following years, although the young Gu Jingzhou's skills became increasingly mature and his teapot-making prowess had reached "superior quality" among his peers, most works from this period were styles adapted to market and client demands, such as: "Ox-cover Western-style Barrel Teapot," "Bamboo Section Sets," and others. Particularly market-oriented was the "Zuo You Lan Yan" (Seated with Orchid Words) imitation drum teapot commissioned by the Jiangsu Provincial Farmers Bank and Jiangsu Provincial Bank. At the end of 1946, through the arrangement of Zhou Zhilu and Xu Zuchun, he secured a gift order from the banks. With assistance from Shen Xiaolu[1], he completed the teapot bodies, then invited Wu Tonggou[2] for calligraphy and Zhuge Xun for seal engraving. Together they created one hundred and ten "Zuo You Lan Yan" imitation drum teapots—this was the only time in Gu Jingzhou's life that he undertook mass customized production. In 1948, Gu Jingzhou created the "Da Shipu" (Large Stone Ladle) teapot. Through an introduction by Dai Xiangming of Shanghai's Tiehuaxuan, Wu Hufan and Jiang Hanting painted designs such as "Wind Moving Through Sparse Bamboo" and "Solitary Chick in Snowy Plum Blossoms" on the teapot bodies, and inscribed corresponding poems. Inside the lid of the "Da Shipu" teapot was stamped a rectangular seal reading "Jingzhou" carved by Wang Renfu in seal script, and on the bottom was stamped a square name seal reading "Gu Jingzhou" carved by Ren Shubo in seal script. The name "Jingzhou" began to be used from this point forward. This encounter and acquaintance with Shanghai School calligraphers and painters not only broadened the young Gu Jingzhou's horizons and expanded his thinking once again, but also ignited his creative passion—for the first time in his decade-plus career of learning and practicing the craft, brilliant sparks burst forth. Five "Da Shipu" teapots were completed in total; aside from keeping one for himself, he generously gifted the remaining four to Wu Hufan, Jiang Hanting, Tang Yun, and Dai Xiangming—fellow enthusiasts who had provided him with technical assistance and intellectual inspiration. Gu Jingzhou, who possessed a distinctly literati temperament and bearing, engaged in discussions of art and collaborative work with renowned calligraphers and painters many times throughout his life, continuing until 1992 when he joined hands with Master Liu Haisu to create the "Phoenix Perching on Double Circles Teapot." Although the young Gu Jingzhou had already gained fame in teapot-making, the decline brought to Yixing's pottery industry by social upheaval left the entire zisha sector depressed and stagnant. Bewildered artisans groped and struggled in the cold darkness. Similarly, the resilient Gu Jingzhou also awaited spring, awaited dawn, awaited a beautiful life... --- [1] Shen Xiaolu (1909-1967), also known as Ji and Xiaolu, native of Shangyan in Chuanbu, skilled in making wheel-thrown teapots. He once worked with Gu Jingzhou using the studio seal "He Bai Yi Xuan" to create zisha teapots for merchants. In 1954, he joined the Tangdu Pottery Cooperative's zisha workshop. His representative work includes the "Hexagonal Tea Set" (collection of Nanjing Museum). [2] Wu Tonggou, descendant of Ming Dynasty scholar-official Wu Yishan, operator of the Kuifeng Zisha Pottery Shop during the Republican period.