Our Story

As early as the Ming Dynasty, Yixing purple clay teapots were brought to Europe along the Maritime Silk Road, and became favorites of the European royal families and the upper class. They took pride in owning a Yixing teapot, calling it "red porcelain", which was a luxury item for them, coming from the mysterious and distant Orient.

The greatest advantage of purple clay is its excellent breathability due to its double-pore structure. It does not affect the flavor of the tea, prevents the tea from spoiling overnight, retains heat well, and gets more beautiful and elegant with use.

The shapes of purple clay teapots vary greatly, with round, square, ribbed, and floral designs, fully reflecting the unique plasticity of purple clay material.

In 1954, under the organization and guidance of the Party and the government, seven veteran artisans, including Ren Ganting, Wu Yungen, Pei Shimin, Wang Yinchun, Zhu Kexin, Gu Jingzhou, and Jiang Rong, led the establishment of a pottery cooperative (the predecessor of the Jiangsu Yixing Purple Clay Craft Factory) by gathering small purple clay workshops scattered among the people.

In October 1955, the cooperative recruited apprentices in batches and the seven veteran artisans carefully taught and systematically trained them. In 1956, the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government awarded the honorary title of "Technical Advisor" to the seven veteran artisans. Since then, the purple clay factory has cultivated a large number of renowned experts and masters represented by Chinese Master Craftsmen and Chinese Ceramic Art Masters, laying a solid foundation for the inheritance, prosperity, and development of Yixing purple clay.

In 1958, the Jiangsu Yixing Purple Clay Craft Factory was officially named, and its "Fangyuan" brand high-end purple clay tea sets and purple clay pottery successively won the national silver and gold medals from 1979 to 1983. In 1984, it won the gold medal at the Leipzig International Fair in Germany, and its products were sold well in more than 50 countries and regions around the world.

In 2023, the One·Pot Pottery brand was founded, committed to continuing the legacy of Yixing purple clay craftsmanship while integrating modern design elements. This new brand aims to appeal to contemporary tastes while honoring the rich heritage of Yixing purple clay pottery. By embracing both tradition and innovation, One·Pot Pottery seeks to introduce the timeless elegance and superior functionality of Yixing teapots to a new generation of tea enthusiasts worldwide. The establishment of One·Pot Pottery marks a new chapter in the centuries-old tradition, ensuring that the artistry and cultural significance of Yixing purple clay will continue to flourish and be appreciated globally.