The original intention of the birth of practical utensils is to gradually recognize the "use" of a utensil from practicality to ease of use to dependence. The primary material advantage of silver pots and the sterilizing effect of silver give users high gains from use. , today Tongxinshe Tea House recommends a "Dragon Totem Sterling Silver Kettle" handmade by Li Xiaobai, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, with a capacity of 1000ml and a weight of 600 grams.
Heqing County in Dali is one of the outstanding representatives of Dian Silver Culture. The ancient book "Heqing County Chronicle" records that Heqing silver forging began in the Ming Dynasty and became the center of Yunnan's copper and silver crafts during the Nanzhao period of the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,200 years. Brothers Li Fuming and Li Fucai from Heqing are representatives of many silversmiths. The grandfather is a well-known old silversmith. The two brothers who have developed their careers abroad have already achieved certain achievements in their careers. However, because they are always thinking about the silversmithing craft that has been passed down from generation to generation, they gave up their glory and returned to their hometown, addicted to this small hammer. The craft of hammering. Because his elder brother had liked Duke Huan of Qi since he was a child, and his surname was Li, he named the silver pot they forged Li Xiaobai Silver Pot.
Li Fuming was named the county-level intangible inheritor of Heqing's silverware skills in 2016. Li Xiaobai's silver pot broke the monopoly of Japanese silver pots and became a silverware sought after by collectors. At present, many of Li Fuming's works have more than 10 national appearance patents, and some of them are also collected in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum.
Li Xiaobai Silver Pot Studio mainly produces "9999 sterling silver tea sets". The physical structure of the silver material is changed by hammering it by hand. The originally soft silver pieces become light, hard and textured. Each Li Xiaobai silver teapot is made by beating a whole piece of 9999 pure silver without welding. More than 400,000 times of beating and nearly 100 times of tempering increase the hardness of the silver piece and finally shape it. The silver pot is thin but hard.
Every hammer blow lays the foundation for use, and every knife carving creates value for exquisiteness. Silverware should not just be a handicraft, but should integrate use and beauty, adding color to a beautiful life. The body of the pot has been polished repeatedly, and various patterns are presented on the pot with the inspiration and design of dozens of arts and crafts masters. The pot has strong traces of handwork and unique ingenuity. The beauty of Chinese silverware lies in the essence of Chinese culture that is subtle and unobtrusive.
In ancient times, silver was precious and reserved for the royal family, and ordinary people could not own it. Silver tea sets were highly praised by celebrities and refined scholars in the past dynasties, and they have many wonderful benefits. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" also said: "Silver can soothe the five internal organs, calm the mind, and stop jitters." , eliminate evil spirits."
Every product made of silver has its own unique meaning of nobility, beauty, health and auspiciousness, and has become a carrier of oriental culture. How can an elegant tea affair be without a good pot? Water is the mother of tea, and utensils are the father of tea. The balance between water and utensils may be the silver pot.
In 2014, the State Council and the Ministry of Culture awarded Li Xiaobai a "National Intangible Cultural Heritage". After years of precipitation and development, Li Xiaobai Silver Pot has become the most well-known silver pot brand in China. It has won 47 national and provincial honors including the "China (Yunnan) Most Influential Brand Award in 2019" and applied for 26 national patents. Xiang has become a representative of domestic high-end handmade silverware production.
Li Xiaobai Silver Pot not only attaches great importance to the inheritance and promotion of traditional handicrafts, but also attaches great importance to innovation in craftsmanship and art design. Craftsmen Li Xiaobai have strict requirements for their craftsmanship, strive for perfection, and pay attention to detail. The craftsmanship in this is as white and moving as silver, and it is dazzling. Appreciating silver pots is not simple, because a silver pot is a mountain, a river, an auspicious scene, and the wisdom and mind of the craftsman.