Jincheng News, Yellow River News Network — Recently, Jinyifang's 2025 “Auspicious Star Shines Brightly” zodiac teapot was selected as a Boao Forum for Asia state gift, subsequently acquired by the Jincheng Museum, the Jin Merchants Culture Museum, and the Boao Cultural Heritage Museum.
Shanxi boasts a rich history, and Jincheng's iron smelting industry embodies the dedication of generations of artisans, carrying unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Each artifact infuses the craftsmen's emotions, thoughts, and blessings...
Culture is the foundation; innovation is the lifeblood. Each New Year, Jin Yifang remains committed to interpreting traditional Chinese zodiac culture through innovative product design. The “Auspicious Star Shines Brightly” zodiac kettle seamlessly blends constellation culture with collectible value. Handcrafted using the traditional lost-wax casting technique, each kettle is one-of-a-kind.
The kettle handle employs a gold and silver jewelry plaster mold technique, preserving the iron's rugged texture and intricate grain. Hand-set silver studs adorn the handle, adding a touch of classical elegance to the design.
The front of the iron teapot features a gourd-shaped “Ruyi Fortune and Longevity Snake.” This creative design abstracts the serpent's form into a gourd silhouette, omitting the head and tail while representing the body's curves with a ruyi motif—symbolizing fortune, wealth, and longevity. The ruyi snake head undergoes traditional gilding followed by an antique patina treatment, achieving a rustic yet vibrant finish.
The reverse bears only the Kangxi Emperor's calligraphy inscribing “The Supreme Blessing Under Heaven,” conveying blessings to all who behold it. Three silver studs adorn the kettle's handle, symbolizing the “Three Stars of Blessing, Prosperity, and Longevity” shining brightly. As the folk saying goes, “When the Three Stars shine, the New Year arrives,” wishing for good fortune and auspiciousness in the coming year.
To elevate the elegance of tea ceremonies, 2025 Jin Yifang also introduces the New Year gift tea pet lid rest “Double Serpent of Good Fortune.” It serves both as a tea pet and a lid rest, blending aesthetic appreciation with practicality. This small yet ingeniously crafted piece embodies refined charm and artisanal dedication.
The “Double Serpent Auspiciousness” pioneers ironwork tea pets in China. Crowned with a regal headpiece, it securely holds teapot lids, while its tail is ingeniously shaped like a ruyi scepter—symbolizing wishes fulfilled. The mascot holds a handwritten “Fu” character by contemporary Zen calligrapher Wu Dawei, President of the Chinese Culture of Blessings Research Association. This anthropomorphic cartoon figure holds the character with a beaming smile, embodying the saying “adding blessings to a perfect picture.”
Jin Yifang has consistently upheld profound reverence for traditional culture and a mission to preserve its legacy. We deeply explore and innovatively integrate traditional zodiac culture, seamlessly blending ancient wisdom with modern craftsmanship. This fusion allows traditional techniques and contemporary design to shine brilliantly amidst the interplay of cast iron and firelight.
As the saying goes, “Blessings follow the teapot; where the teapot goes, fortune arrives.” Jin Yifang's 2025 “Auspicious Star Shines Brightly” zodiac teapot brings blessings upon blessings. Each time we pour tea, it signifies the arrival of good fortune; each sip embodies the consumption of auspicious blessings. (Jin Yifang)