In Yixing, the renowned "Pottery Capital of China" where the kiln fires have been burning ceaselessly for thousands of years, the craftsmanship of making purple sand pottery, as a national-level intangible cultural heritage, carries profound cultural connotations. In this garden of purple sand art, many outstanding women engaged in purple sand art, with their tenacious, intelligent, open-minded and inclusive qualities, have continuously delved into the profound realm of purple sand art and created various artistic masterpieces with unique styles. Today, Tongxin She Teahouse is honored to present to you a highly collectible masterpiece - the "Gourde-shaped Teapot" made by Gu Ting, the daughter of Master Gu Shaopei.
This "Gourde-shaped Teapot" was meticulously crafted in 2012, using precious old purple clay, with a capacity of 550cc. Its shape is simple and elegant, with smooth and natural lines, and every detail reveals the ingenuity of the craftsman. In 2016, Tongxin She Teahouse acquired this teapot at the Beijing Council International Autumn Auction. What makes it particularly precious is that the certificate was personally handwritten by Master Gu Shaopei, a Chinese master of arts and crafts. This is not only an authoritative certification of the work's quality but also endows it with a unique and unparalleled collectible value.
Gu Ting was born into a prestigious purple sand family, and her father, Gu Shaopei, is truly a giant in the purple sand art world. Since Gu Shaopei was born into a pottery family in Yixing in 1945, he has embarked on the path of purple sand art. In 1958, he entered Yixing Purple Sand Middle School for study and was enlightened by teachers such as Pan Chunfang. Later, he transferred to the Purple Sand Pottery Factory, where he studied under the famous senior craftsman Chen Fuyuan and received long-term and meticulous guidance from Gu Jingzhou, the leading master of contemporary teapot art. After more than 50 years of dedicated exploration, he has deeply studied the techniques of various famous masters, integrated the essence of different schools, and combined artistic individuality. He has created more than 100 new works, winning numerous important awards such as the Gold Award at the Leipzig International Fair in Germany and the Hundred Flowers Golden Cup Award of Chinese Arts and Crafts. He has also held important positions many times, making outstanding contributions to the development of purple sand art. In 2006, he was awarded the title of the Fifth Chinese Master of Arts and Crafts, and in 2008, he was honored as the representative inheritor of Jiangsu Province's intangible cultural heritage.
Growing up in such a family atmosphere, Gu Ting was influenced by purple sand art from an early age and was determined to inherit the purple sand craftsmanship. In 1992, she entered the Research Institute of Yixing Purple Sand Pottery Factory and began to learn from her father, starting her own journey in the purple sand art field. Over the past thirty years, she has been concentrating on in-depth study and continuous accumulation. As the second generation of artists in a purple sand family, she shoulders the dual mission of inheritance and innovation. She adheres to the original aspiration of inheriting intangible cultural heritage, polishes her skills with the spirit of craftsmanship, and keeps climbing the peak in the path of ceramic art creation.
Gu Ting has made remarkable achievements in art. Her works have not only won gold awards in many domestic and international ceramic art exhibitions and evaluations but also 17 of her works have been collected by important institutions such as the National Museum. Thirteen of her works have obtained national "design patents for exterior appearance". She has also made great achievements in the academic field, publishing 10 papers in provincial-level and above publications and 4 monographs, gaining a far-reaching reputation in the industry. Her works have a unique style, skillfully integrating the essence of nature and art. With exquisite craftsmanship and outstanding artistic standards, they are deeply loved by a large number of purple sand art enthusiasts.
Gu Ting's artistic growth is inseparable from the support and guidance of her father, Gu Shaopei. With her unremitting efforts and outstanding achievements, she has inherited and carried forward her father's artistic tradition and family spirit, actively promoting the inheritance and development of purple sand pottery art. Through various means, she publicizes the cultural value and artistic charm of purple sand pottery, attracting more people to pay attention to and learn this ancient art.
This "Gourde-shaped Teapot" by Gu Ting is not only an exquisite purple sand artwork but also a witness to the inheritance and innovation of the purple sand family, as well as a perfect integration of culture and art. It carries the weight of history and the vividness of art, waiting for the destined collector in Tongxin She Teahouse, adding a touch of brilliant luster to your collection.