兰
Lan Ruzhu
兰如铸
Qing Qing Dynasty A quiet master of the Qianlong golden age
Biography
Lan Ruzhu shaped his legacy during one of China's most lavish eras — the Qianlong reign, a golden age when the emperor himself was obsessed with art and craft. Working with the rich purple clay of Yixing, Lan brought skillful hands and a refined sensibility to teapots that were as much about beauty as they were about brewing. His place in the historical record is a quiet testament to the high standards that defined Yixing craftsmanship during this spectacular period.
Key Contribution
Lan Ruzhu upheld and advanced the refined Yixing zisha tradition during the Qianlong period, one of the most artistically ambitious reigns in Chinese imperial history.
Referenced in the Book
p. 138