Vermilion Han tiles yixing clay woodfired teapot # 94855

Based on the Chinese name 朱砂汉瓦 (literally “cinnabar / vermilion Han‑tile”), this teapot form seems to pair a red surface treatment with a body inspired by Han‑dynasty roof tiles. Without a clear photograph or established museum/catalog reference, the exact historic model is ambiguous; the following is a cautious, general description grounded in known Chinese teapot traditions.

Brief history: Yixing and other Jiangnan teapot traditions often borrow shapes from antiquities and everyday objects; during the Ming and Qing centuries potters created many forms that echo bronzes, bricks, and tiles as part of a literati taste for antiquity. The term “Han” in a form name typically alludes to the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) and its architectural motifs—which became popular motifs in later revival styles. “朱砂” can refer either to a vermilion pigment/glaze effect or to a reddish zisha clay, both historically prized for their warm color and tea‑enhancing properties.

Shape note: A “Han‑tile” teapot will usually have a low, rectangular or slightly arched profile with a ridged or tiled top resembling an ancient roof tile, producing a compact, horizontal silhouette. Functionally this yields a stable vessel with modest capacity and an emphasis on angular, archeological aesthetics.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.