{"product_id":"zisha-teapot-by-level-1a-grandmasters-bao-zi-qiang","title":"Zisha teapot by Level 1A Grandmasters, BAO Zi-Qiang 鲍志强 石瓢","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"217\" data-end=\"289\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"221\" data-end=\"287\"\u003eMaster Bao Zhi-Qiang – The Poet of Zisha Engraving (1946–2024)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"291\" data-end=\"609\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"291\" data-end=\"308\"\u003eBao Zhi-Qiang\u003c\/strong\u003e, art name \u003cem data-start=\"319\" data-end=\"327\"\u003eLe Ren\u003c\/em\u003e (乐人), was born in 1946 in Yixing, Jiangsu — the heartland of Zisha clay art. He was one of the most revered figures of modern Chinese ceramic art, honoured as both a \u003cstrong data-start=\"494\" data-end=\"550\"\u003eNational Master of Arts and Crafts (2006, 5th batch)\u003c\/strong\u003e and a \u003cstrong data-start=\"557\" data-end=\"606\"\u003eNational Ceramic Art Master (2003, 1st batch)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"1014\"\u003eHe entered the Yixing Zisha Factory in 1959, first apprenticing under \u003cstrong data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eTan Yao-Kun\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"715\"\u003eFan Ze-Lin\u003c\/strong\u003e for pottery carving, and later under \u003cstrong data-start=\"753\" data-end=\"767\"\u003eWu Yun-Gen\u003c\/strong\u003e to refine his teapot-making skills. In 1965, he became a student of the legendary ceramic engraver \u003cstrong data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"883\"\u003eRen Gan-Ting\u003c\/strong\u003e, under whose influence Bao developed a lifelong devotion to integrating \u003cem data-start=\"956\" data-end=\"1000\"\u003epoetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving\u003c\/em\u003e into Zisha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1016\" data-end=\"1371\"\u003eOver his six-decade career, Master Bao rose to the position of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1133\"\u003eChief Technical Artist of the Yixing Zisha Factory\u003c\/strong\u003e, achieving the title of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1219\"\u003eSenior Research-Level Master of Arts and Crafts (Level 1)\u003c\/strong\u003e. His artistic philosophy centered on \u003cem data-start=\"1257\" data-end=\"1295\"\u003eculture as the soul of craftsmanship\u003c\/em\u003e — transforming each teapot into a vessel of both function and philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1373\" data-end=\"1697\"\u003eHe was celebrated for his mastery in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1410\" data-end=\"1434\"\u003epottery carving (陶刻)\u003c\/strong\u003e — his strokes carried the grace of calligraphy and the power of engraving, making each piece a dialogue between form and spirit. His designs fused classical literati aesthetics with the simplicity of daily life, setting a benchmark for modern Zisha decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1727\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1725\"\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Achievements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Multiple Gold Awards at National Arts \u0026amp; Craft Masters Exhibitions (1980s–2000s)\u003cbr\u003e- Works “Noble Tea Set,” “Purple Jade Aroma,” “Source of Spring” – 1st Prize, National Ceramic Art Exhibition\u003cbr\u003e- “Eternal Joy” and “Longevity Pot” – exhibited at Japan’s Mino International Ceramic Expo\u003cbr\u003e- “Ancient Charm” and “Fragrant Tea” – Gold Awards at China National Masters Expo\u003cbr\u003e- Engravings “Spring in Guilin” and “Plum Blossoms in Ink” – collected by the Palace Museum (Beijing)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2228\" data-end=\"2510\"\u003eMaster Bao’s pieces are housed in \u003cstrong data-start=\"2262\" data-end=\"2295\"\u003eZiguang Pavilion, Zhongnanhai\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2318\"\u003eThe Palace Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2324\" data-end=\"2342\"\u003eNanjing Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e, and have appeared in both domestic and international exhibitions. His published monographs and solo exhibitions continue to influence generations of Zisha artisans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2512\" data-end=\"2759\"\u003eEven in his later years, Bao Zhi-Qiang remained a gentle scholar-artisan — a “poet with a carving knife.” His passing in January 2024 marked the end of an era, but his artistry endures as the living memory of Yixing’s most refined cultural soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"OVP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41078047735866,"sku":null,"price":16300.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1587\/1309\/files\/WhatsAppImage2025-10-31at11.53.26PM.jpg?v=1761927774","url":"https:\/\/ovp.mom\/products\/zisha-teapot-by-level-1a-grandmasters-bao-zi-qiang","provider":"OVP Tea","version":"1.0","type":"link"}