One of Bao Zhiqiang's zisha works. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Since the early 16th century, folk artists in Yixing, East China's Jiangsu province, have been perfecting and passing down their pottery-making techniques. They use locally produced zisha soil to craft refined teapots that feature a smooth texture, rich colors and graceful patterns, which are popular among tea drinkers and collectors at home and abroad.

Bao Zhiqiang, a contemporary artist of zisha pottery-making from Yixing, donated two of his creations to the National Art Museum of China. An exhibition of his 80 works are also on show at the museum including teapots, vases and brush containers. It ends on Sept 11.

Wu Weishan, the director of NAMOC, says Bao's zisha works reveal his cultural attainment and modesty as an inheritor of Chinese handicraft traditions and also a learned person. He adds that Bao's donation has enriched the museum's collection of intangible cultural heritage.