Famous Purple Clay Tea Set and Artisan

Gong Chun was the first potter who chiseled his name "Gong Chun"on the Shuying Hu (Tree Burl Pot). Following his lead were Dong Han, Zhao Liang, Yuan Chang, Shi Peng, Shi Dabin, Li Zhongfang, Xu Youquan, Hui Mengchen, Chen Mingyuan, Yang Pengnian and Shao Daheng during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Today there are many famous potters in Yixing with their own unique styles. The purple-clay tea set may or may not be inscribed or painted. It includes the purple-clay cup, tea tray, Gongdao cup, Pinming cup, Wenxiang cup, coaster, pot holder and lid holder, etc.

Mansheng Pot

The famous Qing Dynasty Mansheng Pot was not made by Chen Mansheng. Chen Hongshou,aIso called Mansheng, of Qiantang,Zhejiang (Mansheng) loved the purple-clay products and worked out 18 designs.Mansheng Pot normally had the Chinese lettering "Amantuo Shi"and "Made by Chen Mansheng" on the bottom and the seal of“Pengnian"on the handle. Those pots were mostly made by Yang Pengnian, Yang Fengnian and Yang Baonian based on Chen's designs. Only a few Mansheng Pots have survived and are a collectors dream.