Image from book page 148
Zhōng Shí Piáo Hú
One legend, two decades, one perfect pot.
The Zhōng Shí Piáo Hú is a refined variation of the classic Shí Piáo (stone ladle) style — a sleek, geometric form with a flat, triangular body that looks almost architectural. This particular piece has a fascinating history, with its body and lid made at different times by the legendary Gu Jingzhou, one of the most celebrated Yixing masters of the 20th century. The flush-fitting lid (截盖式) fits so seamlessly into the pot's rim that it almost disappears — a hallmark of truly masterful craftsmanship.
The lid of this teapot was made in 1942 — several years after the body — yet fits so perfectly it looks like they were always meant to be together, a testament to Gu Jingzhou's extraordinary precision and consistency across time.