Soul Lost-Wax Cast Iron Teapot

The Soul cast iron teapot has claimed the silver award in the Fashion & Leisure category of the Shop! Design Awards. The contest evaluates entries based on cultural innovation, revitalization of traditional crafts and functional aesthetics of utensils. Winning works represent the cutting-edge design standard of cultural and creative tea sets worldwide. Handcrafted by intangible cultural heritage inheritor Peng Sun, the teapot adopts traditional lost-wax casting and draws silhouette inspiration from Eastern Han storytelling figurines, solving industry pain points including homogenized iron pot designs and fading ancient handcraft techniques.

Design Concept & Structural Features

Its shape extracts the relaxed flowing outlines of Eastern Han drum-beating figurines with abstract blank-leaving aesthetics, decorated with gilded mottled textures on the body. Produced via dozens of full handmade lost-wax procedures, each teapot uses an exclusive wax mold that cannot be mass-produced, delivering unique curved textures unachievable by stamping production. Equipped with heat-insulated solid wood side handle, its spout and lid adopt slant-cut structure for smooth water flow and clean cutoff; the lid stays secured even when tilted drastically, compatible with various heat sources. Cast from pure raw iron without inner chemical coating, the pot develops smooth patina over long-term use, balancing daily brewing practicality and collectible value.

Exploration of Design Value

Integrating Eastern Han cultural aesthetics with intangible lost-wax casting craft, the piece combines artistic appreciation and daily tea-making functions, bringing modern innovation to traditional cast iron tea wares. This award stands as a landmark achievement in revitalizing heritage handcraft and transforming ancient cultural artifacts. Going forward, the creator will keep exploring design elements from Qin and Han antiques, refine lost-wax casting techniques, expand the lineup of iron tea utensils, promote Baoding’s cast iron heritage craft, and introduce Chinese handmade ironware to global audiences.

Compete for the "Design Oscar"of Consumer Goods

The Shop! Product Design Awards are open to brand owners, agencies, designers, and teams from around the world, covering a wide range of categories including home appliances, consumer electronics, fashion lifestyle, baby products, beauty and personal care, food and beverage packaging, and communication design. The new season is now open for entries, with the submission deadline on November 30. We look forward to your participation in defining the global trendsetter for consumer goods design.

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