The exact form signified by the Chinese name 黄把汉瓦 (literally “yellow‑handle Han‑tile”) is not a widely documented standard model, so the identification is slightly ambiguous. However, the name itself is informative and fits a well‑established pattern in Chinese teapot naming: shapes are often described after everyday objects, architectural elements or historical motifs.
Brief history/context: From the late Ming and throughout the Qing, Yixing and other Chinese potters regularly borrowed motifs from architecture and antiquities—roof tiles, bricks, and Han‑dynasty forms were admired and referenced in decorative arts. A “Han‑tile” reference would recall the semi‑cylindrical or arched profile of traditional roof tiles and the solidity of Han‑period masonry. Teapots named after such objects were made both as functional vessels and as playful, literati pieces that evoked antiquity.
Short note about the shape: Expect a low, broad body with a gently curved or slightly ridged profile that echoes a roof‑tile cross‑section; the lid may sit flush or overlap like tiles. “Yellow‑handle” suggests a contrasting handle treatment—either a lighter clay, a yellow slip or glaze, or simply a descriptive color name. Such a form brews small quantities well and emphasizes a sculptural, architectural silhouette rather than a tall, elegant profile.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.
