a great foundation – teapot constructed for sturdiness
柱础
–
zhu chu
–
column plinth
This is another teapot where artist Mansheng took a shape from everyday life and turned it into a teapot. A plinth is a stone used to support columns made out of wood, stone or other material. It has various shapes and can be decorated or plain.
The zhuchu teapot is has a distinctive ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ part separated by a sharp edge. In profile, the upper part is concave, looking like the Chinese character 八 ba (‘eight’). The lower part is convex and looks like a flat dish.
Other than that, it can vary greatly in proportion of shape, just like a normal column base.
The zhu chu teapot makes a great gift, e.g. an expensive housewarming present (hint hint) or for elders or leaders. You are implying that they are the foundation of the family or company, that people can rely on them. Remember that there is another teapot built from an element of the house – the hanwa teapot. With those two, you’ll have the foundation and the roof covered.
Also note that there is a pressed tea type that is shaped like a pillar called 柱茶 zhu cha (see my guide about pressed tea shapes!). The pillar is the part that rests on top of the plinth. May I suggest brewing some pillar tea in a zhu chu teapot?
Isn’t it beautiful, how aspects of tea mirror aspects of everyday life back in the day? Like a glimpse of history preserved in an object.
Get yourself some ‚Teapot Shapes I‘ and ‚Teapot Shapes II‘ postcards!
LY
