Su Mingzhi
Short Bio
Su Mingzhi 蘇铭智 is a young but very talented teapot maker from Chaozhou. He is specialised in ultra-thin Egg-Yolk-Clay teapots and classical shapes. I fell in love with his work on my last trip in Chaozhou and am very happy to offer a small selection of his models here.
Su Mingzhi is a teapot maker from Chaozhou, China, known for his refined skill in crafting traditional teapots from local Chaozhou clay. He specializes in classic forms such as the li xing hu (pear-shaped teapot) and shui ping hu (classical horizontal teapot), shaping each piece by hand using the wheel-throwing technique. His work is deeply rooted in the Chaozhou gongfu tea tradition.
"A good teapot is made in service of tea." (freely translated from Chinese)
Su Mingzhi works exclusively with native Chaozhou zhuni (朱泥), a fine, high-crystallinity clay rich in iron. This material, once fired, produces a distinctive orange-red tone that is highly prized in the gongfu tea community. He often applies traditional techniques such as diaosha (textured sand mixing) and shang tushi (applying decorative slip) to enhance surface and function.
Each of his teapots is delicately thrown with thin walls and small volumes, making them ideal for brewing gongfu tea. His approach honors regional heritage while focusing on utility and balance.
Our gallery, studio, and tea space are a hub for experiencing and sharing the art of ceramics and tea.
Similar to the concept of “Utsuwa-galleries” in Japan, we are holding monthly exhibitions of unique ceramicists from Japan, China and Europe.
We also regularly host Workshops and Tea Experiences.
Wonderful tea, i do recommend., drinking it while writing this
The prettiest gaiwan I could think of!The porcelain feels surreal: it has that ivory transparence and the shape is very delicate. I adore it!
Great little tool that is impressive on my tea table!
The teapot is very elegant and precisely made. Pour is crystal smooth and very satisfying. The lid holds by itself while pouring which is great with a side handle. Only downsides : the artist's seal is so small it's almost unreadable if you don't know what it is, and the lid isn't completely water sealed.
Great overall
