I bought this as a gift for a my daughter who wanted her own teapot that she could use for any type of tea, and not worry about flavors being absorbed, so clay was not an option. It's a beautiful teapot and works great for the price. But don't expect a perfectly fitting lid or pour as I would only expect those features on a more expensive unit, perhaps even handmade. It needed a little cleaning when it arrived but did so quite nicely with no cosmetic flaws. The size was perfect as well. Small enough for gongfu brewing, but large enough to get 2 or 3 small cups worth per brew. If you're looking for a teapot alternative to a gaiwan, I'd say this will do the job nicely!
