Shao Daheng

Shao Daheng, a native of Yixing, was a master potter during the Daoguang and Xianfeng periods of the Qing Dynasty. He gained fame as a young man, becoming a significant figure in the lineage of potters following Chen Mingyuan. Unfortunately, Shao Daheng died young during a time of conflict, which was a great loss to the world of Zisha pottery. His works were highly esteemed, and even during the Tongzhi and Guangxu periods, many potters used his styles as templates. However, even imitations failed to match the quality of his work.

Shao Daheng's teapots are known for their simplicity and elegance, particularly in forms like the “Duoqiu” and “Fanggu” teapots. His pieces exude a robust and dignified presence, highlighting the simple yet elegant charm of Zisha artistry. His work was praised for its excellence, often considered to surpass even ancient masters.

One of his renowned creations is the “Fish-to-Dragon Teapot”, noted for its natural and lifelike design. During the Qing Dynasty, his works were treasured by tea enthusiasts and collectors. The “Fish-to-Dragon” Teapot and the “Dragon Head Bamboo Teapot” are currently housed in the Nanjing Museum.

Shao Daheng's Zisha works are known for their originality, ingenuity, and meticulous craftsmanship. His teapots, especially those with simplified forms like the “Duoqiu” and “Fanggu”, possess an unparalleled dignity and grandeur, embodying the rustic yet refined spirit of Zisha art. As Gu Jingzhou noted in "An Overview of Yixing Zisha Teapot Art," Shao Daheng's pieces represent the pinnacle of Zisha artistry, breaking away from the ornate and excessive styles of the time. His meticulous selection of clay, aesthetic design, perfect form, and superior craftsmanship earned him widespread acclaim.

Among Shao Daheng's works, the most famous is the “Daheng Duozhi” Teapot, which has a legendary status. According to the Yixing County Chronicles, the "Thousand Gold Teapot" refers to this piece. The "Duozhi" teapot, a unique Zisha form, resembles a stack of spheres and hemispheres, reflecting the meaning of "duo" in Chinese, which implies accumulation. The “Daheng Duozhi” Teapot is nearly a foot long and over six inches tall, with a rich, jade-like luster and a simple yet grand design. This teapot exemplifies Shao Daheng's exceptional pottery skills.

The legend goes that this rare piece resurfaced in the early 1980s in the home of a Pan family in Shushan, Yixing. To verify its authenticity, they invited Xu Hantang, a master from the Yixing Zisha Factory, who confirmed it as a genuine Shao Daheng work. The teapot was later praised by Gu Jingzhou as a rare treasure. In 1986, due to financial difficulties, a descendant of the Pan family sold the “Duozhi” Teapot to Xu Sihai for 30,000 yuan. In September 1987, Xu Sihai established the first privately-funded tea set museum in China, the Sihai Teapot Museum. The “Daheng Duozhi” Teapot is now housed in the Sihai Teapot Museum in the Jiading Economic Development Zone in Shanghai, concluding its extraordinary journey.