ZISHA TEAPOT FANG GU, HANDMADE BY ARTIST LEVEL 3, WANG HONG-JUAN 王红娟（L3-2017）朱泥 仿古 壶

SHAPE 壶型：Fang Gu (Antique-Style 仿古)

Materials 泥料：ZHU NI 朱泥 

Capacity 容量：200 ml

THE SHAPE
The Fang Gu (Antique-Style) Teapot, an essential component in the arsenal of tea enthusiasts, stands as one of the "Three Musketeers" of teapot varieties, pioneered by the Qing Dynasty Zisha master Shao Daheng. Its inspiration draws from the drums utilized on ancient battlefields.

During the zenith of his career, the contemporary Zisha luminary Gu Jingzhou, vigorously emulated the works of Shao Daheng, gaining valuable insights through meticulous study and replication.

The body of the Fang Gu Teapot assumes a drum-like shape, often featuring a flat base with raised and towering shoulders exuding grandeur. The neck remains short, while the spout forms a beautiful curve line, and a slight gap exists between the handle and the lid, the knob must mirror the proportionally reduced shape of the teapot's body. Aiming for a robust presence, the teapot embodies the tension akin to that of a fully inflated oxhide drum.

Aesthetically, the lid of the Antique-Style Teapot extends beyond the elliptical contour, forming a segment of a large ellipse, thereby constituting a central ellipse. While the lower contour of the central ellipse remains concealed within the upper portion of the teapot, it must be perceptible. The spout also assumes an elliptical form, ensuring coherence and harmony among the three ellipses, albeit of varying sizes, yet maintaining a consistent overall shape. Additionally, the long axes of the three ellipses adhere to the golden ratio. Visually, the distance between the handle and spout and the teapot mouth should be equal, forming a seamless flow, with the junction between the handle and spout symmetric and smooth, devoid of any disruption to the teapot's contour. The teapot's body should evoke a sense of fullness and expansion, while the lid seamlessly integrates with the body, with the lid and mouth forming a smooth and plump contour, akin to tightly closed lips.

The Antique-Style Teapot stands as a classic Zisha teapot archetype, embodying a rustic, dignified, and weighty presence, appealing to the discerning tastes of collectors, while symbolizing completeness and fulfillment.

器型

仿古壶，茶壶爱好者必备的“三剑客”之一，是清朝紫砂大师邵大亨首创，其灵感源于古代战场上使用的鼓。
当代紫砂泰斗顾景舟壮年精力正旺时，曾以邵大亨的壶为楷模，心追手摹，潜力专研，得益良多。

仿古壶的身筒呈鼓型，底部收平底多，肩部必须高耸挺拔才有气势，留短颈，子口呈一线，提钮和盖之间略有颈隙，提钮必须是等比例缩小的壶身形状。在气韵方面，仿鼓壶的气势要有十面张力，也就是一个充满气的牛皮大鼓那样。

从美学上说，仿古壶的盖子是在椭圆轮廓线外面的。这样盖面就成了大椭圆的一段弧线，盖子本身构成一个中椭圆。中椭圆的下部轮廓线是隐于壶身上端之内的，看不见但必需能感觉到。子口也是个椭圆，这样三个椭圆应该是大小不一样但外形很一致，显得连贯呼应。另外三个椭圆的长轴应该有黄金分割比例关系。直观看，仿古壶的把和嘴与壶口的夹角距离应该完全相等，把与嘴要形成贯气，端部与壶身暗接处要对称流畅且不可以伤壶体轮廓线。壶身要丰满，有膨胀感。盖与壶身要浑然一体，盖沿与壶口沿要平整丰满，如紧闭之双唇。

仿古壶是经典的紫砂壶型之一，古朴、大方、端庄、凝重，符合收藏家的审美需求，亦有圆圆满满之寓意。

泥料

作者

王红娟（L3-20179 Awarded in 2017)