The name 竹叶石瓢 (zhú yè shí piáo) literally combines “bamboo leaf” and the classic Yixing form “shi-piao” (stone scoop). The exact compound name may refer to a specific decorative variant rather than a long-established canonical shape, so sources can be inconsistent; nevertheless it clearly ties a decorative bamboo‑leaf motif to the well‑known shi‑piao model.

Brief history: The shi‑piao belongs to the family of Yixing (Zisha) teapots developed in Jiangsu province from the late Ming into the Qing period and refined by later masters. Shi‑piao forms are traditional Yixing styles prized for their compact, low profile and practical pouring behavior. Over the 19th–20th centuries potters produced many named variants by adding stylized elements (animal, plant, or geometric) to classic silhouettes; “bamboo leaf” variants are part of that adaptive tradition.

Shape and note: The shi‑piao is typically squat with a slightly flattened, scoop‑like body, a short, firm spout and a snug lid. A “bamboo leaf” interpretation will incorporate leaf‑shaped shoulders, spout or lid details—often pointed, slightly arched lines suggesting a leaf—while preserving the shi‑piao’s balance and comfortable handling. Made in zisha clay, such teapots combine aesthetic motif with the functional benefits of Yixing ware (good heat retention and seasoning).
Wood-fired handmade Yixing teapot made from Duanni clay sourced from the original Huanglongshan mine. Xu Shun Wei.