We are thrilled to welcome to our family of Signature Artisan Tea Ware Makers, Master Lin who runs a renaissance-style pottery studio with assistants and apprentices to help out. The work remains strictly hand-crafted as each pot is hand-turned, assembled and finished but can sometimes use molded handles, lid knobs, filters and spouts to ensure consistency and precision, just like it is done in the famous workshops of Yixing in China. The result is a pot of great precision and high tolerances in the fit of all its elements and the alignment of the handle and spout. The design of his pots is greatly inspired by classic traditional shapes that have been adapted to the requirements of tea making practices in Taiwan. Sometimes, a bit of humour inspires his designs, like this one. This is very simply a classic pear-shaped teapot body that's been turned upside down. The result is interesting and well balanced aesthetically and in the handling. A large 42 mm opening helps with the loading and especially the removal of unfurled rolled oolongs from the pot. This taller shape is also perfect for rolled oolong tea as it helps keep the leaves in the water as they unfurl. If you prefer to be pouring directly into serving cups without using the proverbial tea pitcher, this pot's short pigeon beak spout provides a good arched stream but it is really best suited for Taiwanese style use with a pitcher. We recommend this pot for any tea, from fragrant high mountain ones to light baked ones, or even darker, heavier baked ones like Dong Ding or black teas, providing you dedicate the pot to your chosen style of tea. What you see in the pictures is what you get. Hand-made in Taiwan and signed by the artist.