Fen Qing Celadon Ru Ware-inspired Eggplant Gourd Teapot

Handcrafted in Ruzhou | Spur-Fired Full Glaze | Veteran Expert Revival | 145ml

“Sky-blue is noble, but Powder-green is superior.”

At ZENTAOEAST, we curate vessels that embody the pinnacle of Chinese aesthetic history. This Fen Qing Eggplant Gourd Teapot is a masterful revival of the Northern Song Dynasty’s Ru Ware tradition. Created in Ruzhou, Henan—the historic heart of celadon production—by a studio of veteran experts, this teapot captures the elusive “Powder Green” glaze that has been sought after by connoisseurs for a millennium.

The Glaze: The “Superior” Fen Qing (粉青)

In the historic ranking of Ru Ware glazes, there is a legendary saying: “Tian Qing (Sky Blue) is noble, Fen Qing (Powder Green) is superior, and Tian Lan (Azure) is precious beyond measure.”

• A Decades-Long Quest: The masters behind the “Xin Ru” (辛汝) mark have spent years researching ancient mineral compositions to replicate this specific hue. The result is a velvety, semi-opaque pale celadon that possesses the deep, “fat” luster of ancient jade.

• The Radiance of Ruzhou: Unlike mass-produced celadon, this glaze is rich in natural minerals, offering a tactile warmth and a quiet elegance that shifts subtly under different lighting.

The Form: Organic Convergence

The silhouette of this teapot—the “Eggplant Gourd” (Qié Guā Hú)—is a graceful adaptation of a classic Yixing Zisha form into the world of porcelain.

• Natural Harmony: The body mimics the plump, ripening curves of a gourd, symbolizing abundance and nature’s balance.

• Function and Flow: With a 145ml capacity, it is an ideal size for premium tea sessions. The precision-engineered spout delivers a smooth, clean pour, while the handle provides an ergonomic grip for steady service.

The Secret of the Three Marks (Spur-Firing)

The base of the teapot reveals three tiny white dots—the hallmark of the prestigious Spur-Firing (Zhī Dīng) technique.

• The Full Glaze Ritual: In the pursuit of perfection, this teapot is “fully glazed.” To prevent it from sticking to the kiln floor, it is supported by three delicate ceramic spurs.

• Sacrifice for Beauty: This method significantly increases the risk of warping during the 1300°C firing, leading to a much lower yield rate. However, it ensures the entire vessel is encased in a seamless, jade-like embrace.

The Mark: Xin Ru (辛汝)

The base is hand-inscribed with the characters “辛汝” (Xin Ru). This mark represents a specific high-tier collection from the Ruzhou-based studio, serving as a seal of authenticity and a signature of the veteran masters who revived this imperial art form.

A Note on the Living Surface

This glaze is engineered to be generally non-crazing (后期一般不开片), intended to remain pristine and smooth. However, due to the authentic mineral glaze and the “living” nature of Ru Ware-inspired ceramics, there is a very low probability that subtle crackle lines may develop over years of use. We consider this a natural part of the vessel’s journey with its owner.

Curator’s Verdict

“The ‘Xin Ru’ Eggplant Gourd Teapot is a remarkable piece of ‘cross-over’ art. Applying the most superior of Ru-style glazes—the Fen Qing—to a classic Yixing silhouette creates a teapot that is both structurally strong and visually ethereal. The presence of the spur marks on the bottom is a badge of honor, proving that the artisan chose the most difficult path to ensure a full-glaze finish. It is a modern heirloom from the very soil where Ru Ware was born.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator