Celadon, a famous type of ancient Chinese stoneware, came into being during the period of the Five Dynasties. It is characterized by simple but refined shapes, jade-like glaze, solid substance and a distinctive style. Its prototype first emerged as early as the Shang Dynasty, and became as popular as white porcelain, in the Tang Dynasty.

The skills in celadon designing and firing were consummated in the Song Dynasty, due to the contributions from five celebrated imperial kilns – Ru, Guan, Ge, Jun and Ding. With five imperial kilns paying tribute to the royal court with their fine celadon products, several plebeian kilns, best represented by Yaozhou kiln in North China and Long quan kiln in the south, also prospered with their unique designs in celadon making.

Celadon has long been highly appraised in China, mainly due to its similarity with jade in coloring and composition. It is mainly colored with ferric oxides and its hardness is somewhere between china and porcelain, so it is usually classified as a type of stone ware.
 

Zisha teapots, also known as “Yixing teapots”, are made of purple clay, specially produced in Yixing of Jiangsu Province. The first Zisha teapot can be traced back to the middle of the Northern Song Dynasty, 900 years ago. As a non-glazed type, Zisha ware achieves its visual effect from its form and structure, rather than the decorations of glazed, colored drawing. During the long development of Zisha art, the potters have created many exquisite and unique patterns, incorporating  aesthetic creativity.

The demand of stability is well met in the designing of its form. Stability means more than a teapot that pours in a clean and steady fashion. Visual beauty is also important. To make the Zisha teapot easy to handle and simplify the manufacturing process, round or a symmetrical form is usually the most favored shape of the teapot.

The center of gravity lies in the axis, which is also the center line of the whole structure and perpendicular to the center of the bottom. Thus the visual stability largely depends on the size of the bottom. Moreover, the changes in shoulder and waist also contribute to the position of the center of gravity and overall stability.

Boccaro art can be described as a type that is “from but beyond life”. A good Zisha teapot is the combination of perfect form and proficient skill. Furthermore, it is crucial to select suitable patterns, texture of decorations ,and the correct technique. Since Zisha art is an art of emotions, a relatively perfect work must be both convenient and have the function of cultivating, enlightening and generating the aesthetic feelings within.