Gradient color leveling yixing clay woodfired teapot # 94793

The name "渐变色水平壶" literally reads as "gradient‑color horizontal teapot." The exact term "水平壶" is not a single, widely standardized classical form in the way some historic Yixing shapes are, so its precise genealogy is ambiguous; the label most likely describes a teapot whose main axis is lateral or low‑profile, rather than a distinct historic type with a fixed provenance.

Broad historical context: Chinese teapot design matured during the Ming and Qing periods, with regional traditions (notably Yixing zisha ware) producing many named shapes that balance function, proportion, and tactile ergonomics. Over time potters have experimented with profile, spout/handle alignment and surface treatment to suit different brewing styles. Decorative glazing techniques that produce smooth color transitions — by dipping, spraying or layered reduction glazes — have precedents in Chinese and East Asian ceramics and are also common in contemporary studio practice.

Shape note: a "horizontal" teapot typically reads as low and elongated, with spout and handle aligned on a lateral axis and a relatively shallow body and lid. The gradient surface is an aesthetic treatment that accentuates the pot’s silhouette and flow, while the form prioritizes a balanced pour and a compact, quietly elegant presence.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.