DESCRIPTION
The exact teapot form called "褶皱汉瓦" (literally “pleated/ruffled Han tile”) is not a widely documented historic type, so its precise provenance and canonical details are ambiguous. The name, however, points to two clear inspirations: the Han (汉) tradition of architectural roof tiles and a pleated or folded (褶皱) surface treatment.
Brief history: Chinese teapot design has long borrowed motifs from everyday life and ancient craft—roof tiles, bamboo, gourds and stoneware motifs all appear as models. From the Ming and especially Qing periods, Yixing and other regional potters produced imaginative variations that referenced antiquity while serving the practical needs of tea brewing. Modern and late-imperial artisans continued this practice, making teapots that echo Han-dynasty forms or tile ornamentation without being literal archaeological reproductions.
Shape note: A "pleated Han tile" teapot would typically present a low, broad body with a rhythm of vertical or radial folds mimicking overlapping tile ridges. The lid often fits into a recessed rim to continue the pattern; spout and handle are kept compact to maintain the roof-like silhouette. The surface treatment emphasizes texture and shadow rather than glossy decoration, making it both decorative and tactile. Materials are commonly unglazed stoneware or zisha clay to showcase the texture.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.
