Xi Shi Yixing Teapot (ZiSha: ZiNi)

This Yixing teapot is shaped in the classical Xi Shi style. Legend has it that Xi Shi (西施) was the first of the Four Beauties of ancient China, renowned for her beauty and grace. Born at the end of the "Spring and Autumn Period" in the capital of the ancient State of Yue, she was given to the King of Wu as part of an espionage operation and helped to bring the state of Wu down in 473 BC.The teapot's round body is a homage to her full, gentle face, while the spout resembles her graceful mouth. The handle, shaped like an elegant hair bun, completes this stunning tribute.Crafted from the most famous Yixing clay from the delta of the Yangtze River, Zi Ni the teapot features excellent porosity. The clay's mixture of kaolin, quartz, and mica, coupled with high iron oxide content, creates a unique, sandy texture that rounds the harsh notes and enhances the taste of tea.Preparing this clay is not easy, but skilled artisans have perfected the craft over centuries. The clay is sourced from the