Big wheel bead teapot is a classic style developed during the late Qing dynasty and was mainly exported to Japan in response to Japan's tea ceremony demand. Since Japanese tea culture advocates simplicity in accordance with its Zen tea culture, this type of teapot was created with simple geometrical lines and shapes, with an unskillful and clumsy appearance exhibiting a humble spirit.  

The Big Wheel Bead teapot was born for making tea. It has a wide open mouth for easily adding or removing tea leaves. It is usually crafted small to be easily held in one's hand and for its look and feel. Also, its straight up spout style makes pouring easy and fast. But there is no unified or standard shape of this style with many versions, having varying body shapes, heights and lid styles. This teapot has a more conventional flat lid with flat round bead on top. The rare Qing Hui Ni clay brings more earth tone to the teapot which is the aesthetic appeal of this teapot. 

This teapot was handmade by artist Mu Yan, who holds a master level certificate sanctioned by the Chinese Arts and Crafts Governing Authority and a member of China's Arts and Crafts Association. Artist Mu Yan has been apprenticed and a lifelong student of the great master Mao Guo Qiang (毛国强), one of the seventeenth of the Honorary China's Great Master of Arts and Crafts. He is especially creative in engraving and carving on Yixing teapots. The carvings on the teapots is master Shen's original art work.

The first teapot features a bird standing on a lotus branch, opening its wings, ready to fly. The second teapot features a carving of a plum blossom on the body and the lid. Lotus and plum blossom are both highly cherished and represent people of great virtue and character in traditional Chinese literature and art. Both teapots have calligraphy of a poem on the other side related to the subject. This teapot has a smaller profile, perfect for brewing oolong tea gongfu style for one or two people. 

Care: Empty the leaves and rinse with hot water after each use. Use a soft clean cloth to clean and dry. For seasoning the teapot, gently touch and rub the teapot with a soft cloth. Over a period of time, the teapot will be seasoned with a natural soft glow, which teapot lovers call "raising the teapot". 

Name:  Big Wheel Bead 巨轮珠小壶

Clay:    Genuine Qing Hui Ni (light greenish gray) 青灰泥

Capacity:  120ml / 4.05oz 

Artist:   Mu Yan (木言)