Dezhong 135ml Yixing Zini Teapot

A handmade Yixing teapot in the classical Dezhong form, shaped from Zini clay in an intimate 135 ml size for Gongfu tea.

Quiet Strength in a Classical Form

Some teapots draw attention through decoration.

The Dezhong does almost the opposite.

Its beauty lies in proportion: a composed body, restrained lines and a silhouette that feels grounded on the tea table.

This handmade Yixing teapot is shaped from Zini (紫泥) clay and holds approximately 135 ml / 4.6 fl oz—a versatile small capacity for Gongfu tea, whether enjoyed alone or shared across a few small cups.

Nothing needs to be added.

The clay, the form and the tea are enough.

At a Glance

• Handmade Yixing Zisha teapot
• Traditional Dezhong (德钟) form
• Zini / 紫泥 clay
• 135 ml / 4.6 fl oz capacity
• Compact xiaopin teapot format
• 11 × 7 × 6.5 cm / 4.3 × 2.8 × 2.6 in
• Designed for Gongfu-style tea preparation
• Suitable for solo and intimate shared tea sessions

Why This Piece

The Dezhong form has a particular sense of composure.

Where some teapot forms feel flowing or playful, Dezhong is more disciplined.

Its silhouette relies on clean relationships between body, lid, spout and handle. Ornament is unnecessary because proportion does the work.

That restraint makes Zini a natural companion.

Rather than allowing decoration to dominate the surface, the clay itself remains visible and becomes part of the character of the pot.

At 135 ml, the proportions also remain intimate.

Large enough to share.

Small enough to preserve the repeated rhythm that makes Gongfu tea so rewarding.

The Dezhong Form

Dezhong — 德钟 is a classical Yixing teapot form distinguished by its restrained geometry and balanced proportions.

Its visual character is one of stability.

The body sits confidently on the table.

The lid continues the architecture above.

Spout and handle extend outward to establish balance across the horizontal axis.

There is little ornament to distract from those relationships.

This apparent simplicity is precisely why classical forms can be so demanding: when decoration disappears, every proportion becomes visible.

Turn the teapot slowly in the hand.

Look at the relationship between lid and body.

Follow the line from spout through the centre of the pot toward the handle.

The form reveals itself through balance.

Zini — 紫泥

This teapot is described as being made from Zini (紫泥), one of the clay terms associated with the Yixing Zisha tradition.

We retain the traditional name Zini rather than reducing it simply to “purple clay.”

For tea drinkers exploring Yixing pottery, clay terminology is part of understanding the vessel itself.

Here, the understated appearance of Zini feels particularly appropriate for Dezhong.

The form is restrained.

The surface remains quiet.

The material is allowed to speak for itself.

135 ml: A Versatile Gongfu Size

Capacity: approximately 135 ml / 4.6 fl oz

This sits beautifully between a very small solo teapot and a larger shared vessel.

For one person, 135 ml creates a generous Gongfu session with repeated infusions.

For two people, it can divide naturally between smaller cups.

For a few guests drinking from very small cups, it can still work within a more intimate tea setting.

If you are choosing your first small Yixing teapot and do not want to go as small as 80–100 ml, 135 ml is an approachable middle ground.

Made for Repeated Infusions

A small Yixing teapot encourages tea to unfold gradually.

Warm the vessel.

Add the leaves.

Pour.

Decant.

Taste.

Then begin again.

The first infusion may introduce the tea.

The next begins to open it.

Later rounds reveal different textures, aromas and levels of sweetness.

Rather than preparing one large volume of tea and walking away, Gongfu brewing keeps the drinker close to the process.

At 135 ml, Dezhong is made for precisely that rhythm.

A Quiet Presence on the Tea Table

There is a reason classical Yixing forms continue to feel relevant.

They do not depend on fashion.

A well-proportioned clay teapot can sit beside an antique tea cup, contemporary glass fairness pitcher or restrained modern tea tray without feeling misplaced.

Dezhong is particularly adaptable because its character comes from structure rather than ornament.

One pot.

A few cups.

Tea leaves.

Hot water.

Enough.

Art of Quiet Living.

Details

Product: Yixing Zisha Teapot
Form: Dezhong / 德钟
Clay: Zini / 紫泥
Origin: Yixing, China
Craft: Handmade

Capacity

Approx. 135 ml / 4.6 fl oz

Dimensions

11 × 7 × 6.5 cm
4.3 × 2.8 × 2.6 in

Recommended For

Gongfu tea
Solo tea sessions
Tea for two
Repeated infusions
Everyday tea rituals

As this is a handmade teapot, minor variations may occur between individual pieces.

Living With Yixing Clay

Before first use, rinse the teapot carefully with clean water.

After brewing, remove the tea leaves and rinse the interior.

Allow the teapot to dry thoroughly with the lid removed before storing.

Avoid strongly scented detergents unless specifically recommended by the maker, as residual fragrance may interfere with later tea sessions.

Protect the teapot from impacts and sudden temperature changes.

With regular use, the pot becomes an increasingly familiar part of the tea ritual.

A Note on Handmade Character

Handmade Yixing pottery should not be judged by the absolute mechanical uniformity expected from industrial ceramics.

Subtle differences in clay tone, surface, finishing and hand-worked details may occur between individual pieces.

We recommend examining close-up photographs of the actual teapot, particularly around the:

Lid · Spout · Handle · Base · Clay Surface

These details are especially valuable when choosing a Yixing teapot.

Designed to Be Gifted

A Dezhong teapot makes a thoughtful gift for someone who values tea, craftsmanship and objects designed to become part of everyday ritual.

Its 135 ml capacity is particularly versatile: intimate enough for Gongfu brewing without being exceptionally small for someone encountering traditional Chinese tea preparation for the first time.

The form itself also carries a quiet dignity.

There is no elaborate decoration that determines someone's taste.

Instead, the gift is the vessel itself:

clay, proportion and the promise of many tea sessions to come.

Curator's Note

Among small Yixing teapots, 135 ml is one of the easier capacities to live with.

It retains the intimacy of Gongfu tea while giving slightly more flexibility than a 100 ml pot.

What draws us to this piece, however, is the Dezhong form itself.

It does not try to impress immediately.

The longer you look, the more the relationships between body, lid, spout and handle begin to matter.

That quietness is precisely its strength.