Tea Ware from the Royal Court

     The abundant variety of tea that was served in the Qing court can be preceived though the historical documnets. The greatest in quantity among all the tea ware for brewing fine tea are the teapots and tea bowls that were made by various materials including porcelain, purple-granule, metal, and jade. The Yixing ware was perticularlly favored for its suitability to brew fine tea, therefore was considered as the classic of royal tea ware. The craftsmenship of painted enamel was specially beloved by the Emporer Kangxi. As a result, it encouraged the practice of applying enamels to the Yixing tea ware. The polychrome glamour further enhanced the unique features of Yixing ware. The Emperor Yongzheng also adored the Yixing teapots and gave numerous imperial edicts to have porcelain copies prduced by the royal kilns. The Emperor Qianlong not only requested exclusive Yixing tea ware, but also demonstrated distinctive aesthetic by having Xiuqi lacquer technique applied onto the entire teapot.