From the clay streets of Dīngshū
This frog began in Dīngshū, the beating heart of Yixing zisha production. Michael Zhan visited a small workshop tucked behind the main pottery market — a family operation where the grandfather still mixes raw ore by hand. The zhuni used here comes from a 1980s Xiaomeiyao mine stockpile; the clay is cleaned, aged in water for three months, then hand-kneaded until it hums with plasticity.
The maker, a third-generation figurine artist, shapes each frog without a mould. He starts with a ball of zhuni, pinches the limbs, and uses a bamboo spatula to incise the eyes and toes. The piece is sun-dried for two days, then fired at 1120°C in a dragon kiln, emerging with a fine sandy skin and a slightly pinkish undertone — a zhuni signature.
Michael selected this batch for its compact size (just 50g) and lively posture. The frog sits with its head lifted, as if listening for the kettle. It’s a starter pet, forgiving and responsive: pour any rinse and the colour changes immediately — a daily reminder of the kiln’s quiet fire and the hands that made it. Each frog carries a small stamped maker’s mark on the underside, linking it directly to that Dīngshū studio.