FAN MEIQIN Yixing Small Teapot Handmade Zisha Clay Songbirds Cherry Blossoms

This Yixing small teapot, handmade with Zisha clay, features a delicate design of songbirds and cherry blossoms. Signed by the artist, the beige-colored teapot is unisex. • Handmade with Zisha clay • Engraved painted songbirds and cherry blossoms on one side & Chinese Markings on the other • Signed by the artist/brand • Beige color • 3" without lid 4.5" Diameter Base mark: "made by Fan Meiqin' 范美勤制 (female potter, no info) Lid: Meiqin 美勤 (given name) Also the pictures do look like lighter then actual teapot ABOUT Zisha Hu, or Purple Sand Tea Pot, is a unique Chinese art form that developed during the Song dynasty (960-1279), but reached the height of its fame during the early Ming Dynasty (960-1644) through the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This very elegant, but simple style of earthenware became increasingly popular as tea preparation itself moved towards simplicity. USE Yixing teapots are used to brew teas including black tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea, green tea, and white tea. They were initially designed to brew oxidized and semi-oxidized teas. If using to brew green or white tea, you must allow the water to cool before adding the tea leaves. Since yixing teapots absorb the flavor of the tea they brew, they should only be used to brew one type of tea. Mixing teas will alter the flavor and ruin future brews. Size: Unisex 3" Condition: Pre-Owned Good In good condition. There is some small surface cracks to the enamel paint. One small chip in the lid.