Zhang Xuefen, a master craftswoman in the Chaozhou Arts and Crafts Association, has been hand-throwing teapots for over 30 years. Her work balances ultra-precise lid fit and form with refined aesthetics, particularly in her signature “thousand lines” 千線 series. As one of the few established female teapot artists in Chaozhou, her pieces are a quiet celebration of craftsmanship and resilience.
On a spring day in 2019, I stumbled upon Zhang Xuefen’s studio in a quiet Chaozhou market after wandering past rows of mass-produced wares. I was instantly struck by the flawless craftsmanship of her pots—many of which could be lifted and spun in the air from the lid alone.
What makes Zhang’s work so compelling is her commitment to both form and function. Her teapots, especially her 千線 “thousand lines” pieces, display masterful symmetry and surface detail while remaining deeply practical. I admire her prioritization of usability: handles and knobs are sculpted for balance, pours are clean, and clay texture develops beautifully over time.
Her family-exclusive clay—deep purple, naturally sourced, and processed by hand—yields a finish that shines in a range of red-brown hues depending on use and light. It's this kind of subtle transformation that makes her pots live with you.
“A good teapot should not just be admired, it should be used—daily, and with joy. My work is inspired by traditional forms, yet shaped by personal stories, hands, and memory.”
Short Bio
Master craftswoman, Chaozhou Arts & Crafts Assoc.
Over 30 years experience in hand-thrown teapots
Former trainee at Zhang Hao Teapot Art Studio (until 2001)
Recipient of multiple national and provincial awards
2017 Silver Award, Shenzhen International Cultural Industry Fair
2018 “Excellent” Award, Guangdong Zisha & Zhuni Pot Skills Competition
Former trainee at Zhang Hao Teapot Art Studio (until 2001)
Zhang uses a rare, dark purple Chaozhou clay mined by her brother and unavailable commercially. The raw ore is ground, sieved, and aged through traditional methods. Fired at a secret temperature, it develops microporosity—perfect for teas that reward depth and aftertaste. This clay is often misidentified as ZhuNi due to its color but remains distinct from the more vitrified Yixing version.
Zhang Xuefen’s teapots pair beautifully with roasted oolongs (Dancong, Wuyi Yancha, Taiwanese), aged Sheng Pu’er, Hong Cha, and other flavor-rich teas. Each teapot becomes more refined with use—its surface developing patina and its pour becoming smoother.
All teapots feature a single-hole filter, are signed, and come in a handcrafted wooden box.
