Literal translation of 仙挑扁平壶 is roughly “xian-tiao flat teapot” (xian = immortal/fairy; tiao = to pick/tilt or a stylistic name; bianping = flattened/low-profile teapot). The exact canonical form under this precise name is not widely documented, so the following gives a cautious, general account based on the name and common Chinese teapot traditions.
Brief history: Flat-bodied teapots (扁平壶 or bianping forms) appear within the long Chinese teapot-making tradition—most famously in Yixing (zisha) ware—where potters from the Ming and Qing eras onward experimented with compact, low-profile shapes. These flattened forms were favored for their elegant horizontality and for use in gongfu tea routines; through the 19th–20th centuries and into contemporary studios, artisans have continued to reinterpret historic silhouettes, often giving pieces evocative names (such as referencing immortals or poetic imagery).
Short note about the shape: As implied by the name, a 仙挑扁平壶 would be a relatively low, horizontally oriented teapot with a flattened, broad body. Such a shape emphasizes surface and proportion over height, often pairing a short spout, a low domed or nearly flush lid, and a handle that balances the horizontal profile. The result is a refined, stable vessel ideal for close-up appreciation of form and clay texture.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.
