Frosted horizontal kettle yixing clay woodfired teapot # 94791

"磨砂水平壶" literally reads as "matte (sanded) shuiping teapot." The exact historical identity of a numbered or canonical "水平壶" is not fully standardized in surviving typologies, so the name is best read descriptively: shuiping (水平) suggests a low, horizontally oriented or "level" profile, while 磨砂 indicates a matte, sanded or sandblasted surface treatment.

General historical context: many classic Chinese teapot forms—especially those from the Yixing (zisha) tradition—are named for their silhouettes or functional features and evolved from Ming and Qing workshop practice. Artisans have long explored flattened, squat, and horizontally proportioned bodies for stable heat retention and an elegant, restrained appearance. Surface treatments shifted over time from polished finishes to intentionally matte textures in modern and antique pieces alike to emphasize clay character and handwork.

Shape note: a "shuiping" teapot is typically low in profile with a broad, level body axis, a spout and handle arranged on the same horizontal plane, and a relatively wide base. The matte ("磨砂") finish mutes reflections, highlights the clay grain, and gives a tactile, understated look that develops a subtle patina with use. Such pots are often favored for focused, single-tea brewing and an aesthetic of quiet refinement.
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.