"Among vessels for boiling water, silver teapots stand out as premium; among those for brewing tea, silver teapots are regarded as noble." Among numerous tea utensils, silver teapots are unique—free from the limitations of "the earthiness of clay, the fragility of porcelain, and the rust of iron." Their pure, odorless nature not only purifies water but also fully enhances the aroma of tea. Today, Tongxinshe Teahouse brings this treasure to all tea lovers: a small mirror-finished pure silver teapot from the century-old teapot-making family "Hongji Treasure," suitable for both boiling water and brewing tea, exuding elegance in its compact and exquisite design.
I. Ingenious Teapot Design: Smooth Mirror Finish, Exquisite and Practical with 500ml Capacity
This silver teapot has a capacity of 500ml, which is perfectly sized—whether you're enjoying tea alone or gathering with a few friends, it can handle the occasion with ease. The teapot body is crafted using mirror-finishing techniques, as bright as a mirror. It not only reflects light and draws attention but also embodies the ancient wisdom of "looking at it squarely to understand gains and losses, and to learn from past successes and failures." The retro glossy surface is paired with a simple handle, free of complicated patterns; only a single type of hammered texture outlines the teapot's texture. It exudes calmness with a touch of brightness, and tranquility with an understated elegance, revealing more charm the more you appreciate it.
As the saying goes: "Once you fall in love with quality, you can no longer settle for cheapness; once you get used to refinement, it’s really hard to adapt to mediocrity." This silver teapot is a perfect example of "objects gain value because of people, and people become elegant because of objects." May every tea lover who owns it enjoy both quality and refinement at the tea table.
II. Heritage of a Family: Hongji Treasure, A Century of Dedication Across Five Generations
"Hongji Treasure," the maker of this silver teapot, is no ordinary workshop—it was founded during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1875-1908) and has been passed down through five generations. It is a supported inheritance workshop for the national intangible cultural heritage "Heqing Silver Ornament Forging Technique," and one of the few silver workshops that have continued unbroken from the Qing Dynasty to the present day.
The story begins with Hong Shanyu, the first-generation inheritor: as a young man, he was noticed by a silver craftsman and entered the silver-making trade. With exceptional talent and hard work, he became a skilled craftsman in the workshop by his youth. After countless trials and hardships, he was even taught the secret formula for the "vintage finishing" of silver teapots by his master, and this craft and craftsmanship have been passed down in the Hong family from generation to generation.
In the hands of Hong Jike, the current inheritor, the traditional "one-piece forging" technique has been taken to new heights—each silver teapot is crafted using the classic hammering method, with uniform and delicate hammered patterns covering the entire body, no signs of splicing. It’s worth noting that creating such a silver teapot requires nearly a hundred processes: from material selection and silver plate pressing (the thickness of the silver plate is strictly controlled at 1-1.2mm, which increases cost and difficulty but makes the teapot body fuller and more solid), to cutting the silver plate, shaping the teapot body, making the spout, refining the teapot blank, and repeated polishing. No step can be taken lightly.
The forging and shaping process alone takes nearly 20 days: after the silver sheet is heated and annealed, the craftsman must repeatedly hammer it from the outer edge to the inner side, with precise control over strength and rhythm. A single mistake could lead to cracks or a lopsided teapot body. During this period, the teapot also needs to be repeatedly tempered and different sizes of hammers used, with a total of hundreds of thousands of forging strokes—this patience and aesthetic perception result in each silver teapot having smooth lines, exquisite craftsmanship, and both practical and collectible value.
III. Usage and Maintenance: Characteristics of Pure Silver, Long-Lasting with Simple Care
Many tea lovers may worry that silver teapots will turn black after long-term use, but this is actually a sign of high-purity silver and does not affect usage at all. For daily maintenance, simply note: wipe the outer surface of the teapot with toothpaste and a cotton cloth (avoid using hard loofah cloths), or clean it with a special silver-polishing cloth or silver cleaner. This will keep the silver teapot bright and clean at all times, accompanying you through more moments at the tea table.
A good silver teapot is the finishing touch to a tea table and a carrier of craftsmanship. The new mirror-finished pure silver teapot from "Hongji Treasure" launched by Tongxinshe Teahouse combines the heritage of century-old craftsmanship with practicality for daily use. Whether for personal use or as a gift, it is a rare treasure. If you also have a preference for exquisite tea utensils, bring it to your tea table and experience the unique charm of "boiling water and brewing tea with a silver teapot" for yourself.