In the world of utensils, the original intention of creating practical utensils is to meet the actual needs of life. From mere practicality, to being easy - to - use, and then to becoming indispensable, this progressive process represents a deep - seated recognition of an item in terms of "usage". Today, let's talk about the Li Xiaobai pure silver teapot, a treasure that combines practicality and artistic beauty.
Among the Li Xiaobai pure silver teapots, the "Dragon - soaring Gold - and - Silver Inlaid Pure Silver Teapot" stands out and is highly recommended by Tongxin She Teahouse today. Silver teapots, first of all, have unique material advantages. The bactericidal effect of silver is well - known. Using a silver teapot to boil water and make tea can bring users a higher - quality beverage experience, which is a major highlight of the practicality of silver teapots.
Behind this silver teapot is the traditional silverware craftsmanship that condenses the historical memories of thousands of years. In the Yunnan silver culture, Heqing County in Dali is one of the outstanding representatives. As recorded in the ancient book "Annals of Heqing County", silver forging in Heqing dates back to the Ming Dynasty. During the Nanzhao period of the Tang Dynasty, it became the center of copper and silver handicrafts in Yunnan, with a history of more than 1,200 years. Brothers Li Fuming and Li Fucai, from Heqing, a hometown of silverware, are outstanding among many silver - forging craftsmen. Their grandfather was a well - known old silversmith. The two brothers, who originally developed outside and achieved certain success in their respective fields, resolutely gave up their glory and returned to their hometown out of their deep love and attachment to the silver - forging craftsmanship passed down through generations. Because the elder brother has loved Duke Xiao Bai of Qi (a historical figure) since childhood and their surname is Li, the silver teapots they forged were named Li Xiaobai Silver Teapots.
The "Dragon - soaring Gold - and - Silver Inlaid Pure Silver Teapot" by Li Xiaobai weighs 150g, has a capacity of 200ml, is made of pure silver and pure gold, and uses the exquisite technique of gold - and - silver inlay. Li Fuming was named a county - level inheritor of the Heqing silver jewelry craftsmanship in 2016. The Li Xiaobai silver teapots have broken the monopoly of Japanese silver teapots and have become treasures that are eagerly sought after in the collection circle. At present, many of Li Fuming's works have more than 10 national appearance patents, and some of them are collected in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, which is a high recognition of their craftsmanship.
The Li Xiaobai Silver Teapot Studio focuses on making "9999 pure silver tea sets". Through pure - hand hammering, the physical structure of the silver material is changed. The originally soft silver sheet becomes thin, hard, and full of texture. Each Li Xiaobai silver teapot is hammered from a whole sheet of 9999 pure silver without welding. After more than 400,000 hammerings and nearly 100 temperings, the hardness of the silver sheet increases, and the final - formed silver teapot is thin but sturdy. Each hammer blow is to make the silver teapot more convenient to use; each carving stroke is to endow the silver teapot with an exquisite appearance. Silverware should not just be a handicraft on display in the window but should be an item that combines practical value and artistic beauty, adding a unique touch to our wonderful life.
The body of the teapot is polished repeatedly, and then, with the inspiration and design of dozens of arts and crafts masters, various exquisite patterns are presented on the teapot. The traces of manual work are clearly visible, showing unique ingenuity everywhere. Using such a Li Xiaobai pure silver teapot to boil water and make tea, what you feel is not just the aroma of tea but also the warmth and sentiment of the silverware craftsmanship passed down through thousands of years.