Aged Clay, Shui Ping Yixing Teapot (ZiSha: ZiNi)

A timeless design piece – the Shui Ping pot by master Gao Juntao. The pot master partially handcrafted this model from 20 years aged Purple Mud (老紫泥) extracted from Huang Long Shan (化黃龍山) – one of the Three Original Mines of Ding Shu, Yixing. Aging the clay is a lengthy procedure that improves the properties of the famous purple clay and is sometimes mistaken for simple "long-term storage." It starts by putting the wet mud in a kiln or pottery tank that is not exposed to sunlight and air while simultaneously controlling the temperature and humidity.  Staying in these conditions for a certain period, the clay is fermenting, which has a pronounced beneficial effect on the mud properties. Namely, it facilitates the equal penetration and distribution of water, making the clay more homogenous. It also assists in the elimination of organic matter and increases the plasticity of the material - the clay becomes purer and more pliable. It then improves the compatibility of various components in