Yixing teapots have been made since the 16th century, and there has been a steady stream of known potters since the Wanli period Among true tea aficionados around the world the only type of pot that should ever be used are ones made from clay found originally in the Yixing region of China. Also known as Zisha or "Purple Clay" .
The material was first discovered during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th Century. Soon after the material was being made into a wide variety of vessels from bowls, to vases to plates. By the early 16th C. it's believed the first teapots were specifically made.
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