A handmade Yixing teapot in the stately Qin Quan form, shaped from Lao Duanni clay in a versatile 150 ml size for Gongfu tea.

A Form with Weight and Presence

Some Yixing teapots feel soft.

Others feel almost architectural.

The Dongxin Qin Quan Yixing Teapot belongs to the latter.

Its form draws upon the distinctive proportions of the traditional Qin Quan (秦权) teapot—a compact, grounded silhouette with a sense of weight and composure.

Handmade from Lao Duanni (老段泥) clay, this version holds approximately 150 ml / 5.1 fl oz, balancing the presence of the form with a capacity still comfortably suited to Gongfu tea.

A teapot shaped by history, proportion and restraint.

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At a Glance

• Handmade Yixing Zisha teapot
• Dongxin Qin Quan / 冬心秦权 form
• Lao Duanni / 老段泥 clay
• Approx. 150 ml / 5.1 fl oz
• Compact Gongfu tea capacity
• Strong, grounded classical silhouette
• Suitable for solo and intimate shared tea sessions
• Presented as a giftable tea object

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The Qin Quan Form · 秦权

The name Qin Quan — 秦权 carries an unusual historical reference.

Quan (权) refers to a traditional Chinese counterweight used with balance scales. The Qin Quan teapot form draws its visual language from the substantial, grounded proportions associated with these ancient weights.

That origin gives the teapot a very different personality from softer forms such as Xishi.

The body feels anchored.

The silhouette rises with greater solidity.

The composition has an almost architectural sense of balance.

Yet this is not an object that needs elaborate ornament to communicate its character.

Its strength comes from the form itself.

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Dongxin · 冬心

This particular interpretation is described as Dongxin Qin Quan — 冬心秦权.

We retain the name Dongxin rather than attempting to force a literal English translation into the product title.

For collectors and tea drinkers, traditional Chinese form names are often more useful when preserved in their original terminology and then explained in context.

Here, Dongxin identifies the particular expression of the Qin Quan form while Qin Quan provides the broader historical design vocabulary.

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Lao Duanni · 老段泥

This teapot is described as being made from Lao Duanni (老段泥) within the Yixing Zisha clay tradition.

We retain the material name rather than translating it into a generic colour description.

This is especially important with Yixing pottery, where names such as Zhuni, Zini, Luni, Jiangponi and Duanni communicate more than the apparent colour of the finished pot.

For this piece, the quieter, earthy character of Lao Duanni feels particularly natural against the substantial Qin Quan silhouette.

The clay does not need to compete with the form.

It gives the form somewhere to settle.

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150 ml: A Versatile Gongfu Size

Capacity: approximately 150 ml / 5.1 fl oz

At 150 ml, this Qin Quan sits in one of the more versatile ranges for Gongfu tea.

It is larger than an exceptionally intimate 80–110 ml solo pot, yet still compact enough to encourage repeated infusions.

For One

A generous size for a longer solo tea session.

For Two

Well suited to dividing each infusion between two smaller Gongfu cups.

For Repeated Infusions

The capacity remains small enough to experience the tea across multiple rounds rather than preparing one large serving.

For someone buying a first Yixing teapot and unsure about choosing an exceptionally small vessel, 150 ml can be an approachable place to begin.

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A Different Kind of Beauty

Place Qin Quan beside Xishi and their differences become immediate.

Xishi is curved and soft.

Shipiao is low and directional.

Gongdeng emphasizes balance and symmetry.

Qin Quan feels weighted.

That does not mean physically heavy.

It describes the visual impression.

The body appears planted on the tea table. Its form carries a sense of permanence that feels particularly appropriate in unglazed Yixing clay.

This diversity of form is one of the reasons Yixing teapots remain so rewarding to collect.

The function may remain the same.

The personality can change completely.

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Made for Gongfu Tea

Warm the pot.

Add the leaves.

Pour.

Decant.

Taste.

Then return.

At 150 ml, the rhythm remains intimate without becoming restrictive.

Each infusion gives the leaves another opportunity to change.

Aroma develops.

Texture shifts.

The tea gradually reveals itself.

The pot simply holds the process together.

Art of Quiet Living.

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Details

Product: Yixing Zisha Teapot
Form: Dongxin Qin Quan / 冬心秦权
Clay: Lao Duanni / 老段泥
Origin: Yixing, China
Craft: Handmade

Capacity

Approx. 150 ml / 5.1 fl oz

Recommended For

Gongfu tea
Solo tea sessions
Tea for two
Repeated infusions
Yixing teapot collecting
Tea gifting

As this is a handmade teapot, subtle variations in clay tone, surface and finishing may naturally occur.

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Living With Yixing Clay

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

After each tea session, remove the 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.

Protect the pot from impacts and sudden temperature changes.

Over time, use becomes part of the relationship between the vessel and the tea drinker.

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A Note on Handmade Character

This piece is described as handmade, rather than specifically fully handmade.

Subtle differences between individual pieces may naturally occur.

When choosing a Qin Quan teapot, we recommend looking closely at:

Body Profile · Lid · Spout · Handle · Base · Clay Surface

With a form this restrained, proportion and finishing are more meaningful than exaggerated claims about craftsmanship.

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Designed to Be Gifted

A Yixing teapot is a gift that continues beyond the moment it is opened.

It becomes part of mornings.

Afternoons.

Conversations.

Favourite teas.

At 150 ml, Dongxin Qin Quan offers a versatile size for both individual and shared use, while its distinctive classical form gives the piece enough visual presence to feel meaningful as a gift.

The box may be opened once.

The teapot can be returned to for years.

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Curator's Note

Among the Yixing forms in our collection, Qin Quan has one of the strongest senses of visual weight.

Not heaviness.

Presence.

Its grounded silhouette feels particularly compelling in Lao Duanni, where the clay's understated character allows the architecture of the pot to remain dominant.

At 150 ml, it is also a beautifully practical size—small enough for Gongfu tea, yet generous enough to share.