DESCRIPTION
Brief note on identification: The exact teapot form denoted by the Chinese name "汉扁壶" is not widely documented under that precise label in standard typologies, so the identification is somewhat ambiguous. The name, however, combines "汉" (Han) and "扁壶" (literally “flattened hu/pot”), which gives reliable clues for a cautious description.
Brief history: The prefix "Han" most commonly evokes the Han dynasty (c. 202 BCE–220 CE) or later objects inspired by Han-era models. In Chinese material culture, both Han-period ceramics and bronzes included many utilitarian and funerary vessels—often simple, robust shapes with clear geometric profiles. Flattened or low-slung “hu” and ewer forms appear in archaeological assemblages from the Han and later periods, and later potters sometimes revived or referenced these archaic silhouettes when making small pouring vessels for liquids, including tea and wine.
Short note about the shape: A “扁壶” typically describes a vessel with a low, flattened (width-dominant) body, broad shoulders, a relatively short neck and mouth, and modest spout/handle fittings. The silhouette is compact and stable, with a low center of gravity and a broad, horizontal profile. In a teapot interpretation, this shape emphasizes a squat, elegant look and practical stability; surface treatment can range from plain clay to slip or simple incised decoration.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.
