White Lion Head Walnuts were successfully grafted and officially named in 2007, making them a relatively new variety in the Wenwan world. They get their name from the snow-white shell color when they come off the tree. Despite their young age, they quickly rose to fame and have become the most popular Lion Head variety on the market—widely known as the “National Walnut.”
Key Features
• Extremely Fast Patina Development (Its Most Famous Feature)
White Lion Heads are renowned for their incredible speed of color change. The shell has high oil content and reacts instantly to touch—visible improvement within a week, dramatic transformation within a month.
They are often praised as “Beginner’s Blessing” and “Patina Machine.”
• Perfect, Full Lion-Head Shape
They naturally grow with the classic Lion Head form:
Round from all angles, full shoulders, plump belly, highly symmetric.
Many White Lion Heads are nearly perfect spheres—an absolute delight for anyone who loves geometric perfection.
• Balanced, Comfortable Grain
The texture depth is moderate—neither too sharp nor too flat.
Patterns often resemble “meteor showers” or “flame lines,” giving the surface lively detail while keeping the handfeel smooth and enjoyable.
• Distinctive Tip Feature
Most White Lion Heads feature a small “cross crown” at the top—a four-way petal-like division that serves as a key identifying trait for this variety.
• Wide, Flat Base
The bottom is typically large and flat, with a neat, well-shaped navel (air vent). This contributes to its stability and clean overall structure.
Summary
The White Lion Head walnut pair represents the modern benchmark of Wenwan excellence. With its flawless shape, ultra-fast patina, and well-balanced features, it perfectly combines beauty, comfort, and playability. It is the ideal starter walnut for beginners and a rewarding daily companion even for experienced collectors—an inviting gateway into the world of Chinese Wenwan culture.
