A Study of the Artistic Interaction between Zisha Teapots and Literati Group: The Case of Zisha Teapots Decorated with Paintings and Calligraphy in the 16th-18th Centuries

Background and Aim: This article explores the artistic interaction between Zisha teapots and the literati group, focusing on a case study of Zisha teapots decorated with paintings and calligraphy from the 16th to 18th centuries. The study aims to investigate how these two artistic traditions influenced each other and contributed to the development of unique aesthetic expressions. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of four Zisha teapots featuring literati-inspired decorations and three canonical literati artworks. These specimens were selected using purposive sampling to represent key developmental phases in both decorated Zisha craftsmanship and literati artistic traditions. This approach captures the defining characteristics of these dual artistic modalities. Data collection employed a systematic literature review methodology and a comparative case analysis protocol. The analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and content analysis to interpret the data. Results: The artistic dialogue between Zisha teapots and ink traditions is evidenced through surface-level iconographic borrowing in motifs and subject matter, as well as the technical adaptation of ceramic engraving techniques derived from seal carving. Furthermore, a fundamental conceptual shift in design philosophy is observed, particularly the evolution of the "lyricism-through-materiality" paradigm. The synergy between Zisha art and literati culture arose from shared participation in elite cultural practices, such as tea rituals and literati convocations. Their convergent pursuit of "cultivated refinement" emerged as the ultimate aesthetic ideal. Conclusion: The inter-artistic dynamics between Zisha teapots and literati traditions are manifested through the material projection of Ming-Qing literati aesthetics. This interaction drove mutually constitutive stylistic developments in both decorative crafts and elite artistic expression, highlighting the intertwined evolution of these two cultural spheres.