Master teapot in the shape of Shui Ping from Factory No. 1 by National-level Master Zong Zhixian

The teapot has excellent detailing. The clay is coarse-grained and textured, and the outer surface is perfectly polished. The shape and workmanship are typical of the mid-to-late 1970s, but the teapot was made later, around the mid-1980s. The dating is approximate, but it coincides with the biography of the craftswoman, who in 1981 held a Terrible Technical position. Her stamp is under the lid, so the teapot can be dated to the mid-1980s. At that time, she could have obtained permission to put her stamp.

Zong Zhixian 宗志仙 was born in 1961 in Yixing City.

In 1978 she entered the school based on Yixing Factory Number One to study art.
Her mentors were: Wang Xiaolong 王小龙 (son of Wang Yinchung 王寅春, one of the "Seven Elders") and his wife Gao Lijun 高丽君.
In three years, she became a Senior Technician.
She carefully mastered the secrets of creating smooth (shiny) shapes and flower shapes.
In 2006, Zong Zhixian took 12th place at the "Purple Clay Star" 紫砂之星 competition in Yixing, dedicated to the completely handmade production of teapots (which demonstrated the level of skill of the new generation), and entered the circle of "Twelve Stars of Purple Clay".
She holds the title of one of the highest levels of skill - National-level Master 国家级工艺美术大师.