Zisha teapot Yun Jian Ru Yi, handmade by Artist Level 2, CAO Lan Fang 曹兰芳 L2-2011 紫泥“三脚云肩如意”
Tri-Legged Cloud Shoulder Ruyi Teapot (Yun Jian Ru Yi) - – A Masterpiece of Yixing Zisha Art
Teapot Overview
The Tri-Legged Cloud Shoulder Ruyi Teapot is a celebrated creation by the legendary Gu Jingzhou, one of the greatest Yixing Zisha masters. This iconic teapot embodies his artistic innovation and unparalleled craftsmanship. With a dignified yet graceful form, it seamlessly blends tradition and creativity, making it one of the most exquisite teapot designs in Yixing's history.
One of its most distinctive features is its three-legged design, which provides exceptional stability while enhancing the teapot’s three-dimensional presence. The shoulders of the teapot are adorned with cloud-like motifs (yun jian, 云肩), symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity. These smooth, flowing lines create an ethereal beauty, making the piece both functional and highly artistic.
The spout is short yet robust, ensuring a smooth pour, while the handle is round and well-proportioned, offering a comfortable grip. The perfectly fitted lid and overall harmonious structure highlight the masterful engineering behind this piece.
Crafting this teapot is an incredibly complex process. The precise balance of the three legs, the symmetry of the body, and the intricate cloud shoulder detailing demand an extraordinary level of skill. Additionally, the high difficulty of firing makes successfully completed pieces exceptionally rare.
Clay Material: Made from Qingshui Ni (清水泥) / Aged Purple Clay (老紫泥), the teapot boasts a delicate texture, rich earthy tone, and refined elegance. With proper seasoning and use, it develops an increasingly lustrous patina, enhancing its beauty over time.
About the Artist
This exquisite piece is handcrafted by Cao Lanfang, a National Senior Arts & Crafts Master from a renowned Yixing pottery family. Born in 1963, she trained under her cousin, Cao Yanping (a Research-Level Senior Arts & Crafts Master and Jiangsu Province Arts & Crafts Master), and has dedicated decades to refining her Zisha artistry.
Cao Lanfang is part of the famous "Cao Family Four Hands", alongside her cousin Cao Yalin (a China National Arts & Crafts Master), cousin Cao Yanping, and brother Cao Anxiang (China’s foremost expert in Zisha incense burners). Her works are highly valued for their practicality and artistic excellence, making them sought-after pieces for collectors and tea connoisseurs alike.
Capacity: 320ml
A rare and collectible masterpiece!
三脚云肩如意壶 —— 紫砂艺术的经典传承
壶型溯源 | 传世经典，寓意吉祥
三脚云肩如意壶是紫砂泰斗顾景舟大师的成名之作，融合了紫砂传统造型与个人独特的美学理念。壶身造型端庄大气，蕴含儒雅之韵，尽显君子风范。其设计灵感源于古代宫廷器物，寓意祥瑞，象征着富贵、吉祥与安康。
壶身的“云肩”装饰，是一种源自汉唐服饰与古代建筑的传统纹样，象征祥瑞之气，寓意福泽绵长。云肩纹贴片工艺要求极高，需手工雕刻并贴附于壶身，使其与整体壶体完美融合，既展现层次美感，又考验工艺师的细腻技艺。壶身饱满圆润，如抱元守一，展现出沉稳大气的东方美学。
工艺精湛 | 极难制作与烧制
此壶的三足设计尤为独特，每足微微外撇，使壶身重心平衡，增强稳定性的同时，赋予整体造型更强的立体感和张力。三足之间的间距必须精准对称，否则壶体易倾斜或烧制变形，对工艺师的造型功力要求极高。
云肩如意纹的贴片工艺，需要匠人运用高超的手法将每一片纹饰精准无误地镶嵌在壶身，使其既紧密贴合又保留细腻的立体浮雕感。这一工艺不仅增强了壶体的层次感，也赋予其一种典雅而不失威严的气质。
此外，壶嘴与壶把的比例设计讲究，壶嘴短而劲挺，出水流畅，断水利落；壶把宽厚饱满，握感舒适，符合人体工学。整器气韵贯通，极具美感与实用性。
泥料与养护 | 经典清水泥与老紫泥
本壶采用清水泥 / 老紫泥制成，泥质细腻温润，色泽沉稳，透气性优良，能很好地激发茶汤的醇厚口感。经过长时间的泡养，壶身将逐渐焕发出温润如玉的光泽，展现深厚的养壶魅力。
收藏价值 | 经典壶型，弥足珍贵
作为顾景舟大师的成名壶型之一，三脚云肩如意壶不仅具备极高的实用性，同时也具有极高的艺术价值和收藏价值。其独特的造型设计、繁复的贴片工艺，以及极难掌控的烧制技艺，使其成为紫砂壶收藏界的经典传世之作。对于紫砂壶爱好者和资深藏家而言，此壶无疑是一件值得珍藏的紫砂艺术精品。
容量：320ml
存世稀少，值得珍藏！
作者介绍
此壶由国家级高级工艺美术师曹兰芳精心制作。曹兰芳1963年生于宜兴陶艺世家，1988年拜师堂姐曹燕萍（研究员级高级工艺美术师，江苏省工艺美术大师）。数十年如一日潜心研究紫砂艺术，逐步形成自己独特的艺术风格。她与堂哥曹亚麟（中国工艺美术大师）、堂姐曹燕萍、弟弟曹安祥（中国紫砂香炉第一人）被誉为“曹门四手”。她的作品在兼具卓越实用性的同时，更具有极高的收藏价值，深受紫砂壶藏家与茶艺爱好者的青睐。
