TeaChat

Teaism wrote:

It is very subjective whether or not we should continue using the smelly teapot. But for me, I will definitely never use it since it affects the smell of tea. In addition, I worry if it is not safe. Though I have no data to say it is harmful. I just want to stay away from the possible risk.

Hi Victoria3,

Yixing pot should not have smell and if there is, it is best to use it for decoration only. There are sayings that in those smelly pots, the clay is spiked with lead and/or iron to reduce the firing temp to around 600 instead of over 1000, for economical purpose. Also real Yixing clay is rare now and very unlikely to be found in the present commercially mass market pot. So be careful. If you have doubt, Gaiwan is a safer bet or those pots of the 70s/80s is generally a better bet.

Cheers and have a good day my friend.

Have you heard that they have contained lead on purpose during Qing~ROC era? (in Yixing)

I do know they inserted iron oxide during late-Qing, because many late-Qing Zhuni lacked 'redness', these Zhunis are found in SE asia with a name of 'Fuji (the studio)' and the result is they lack a gloss while the colors are enhanced.

I have a suspicious late-Qing pot, with its color is unlikely pretty but shined (seasoned) but it smells (no kind of smells I've experienced before), and low-fired.

You are right that iron-contained commercial pots (many are seen) smell but not Factory-1 (8~90s), meaning inserting iron also needs experience and skills

What do you think of this Fuji sealed teapot?

Tead Off wrote:What do you think of this Fuji sealed teapot?

Fuji dragon seal 90ml.jpg

Chris - If you dont mind adding this to your thoughts? Many Thanks ~ Toki

Tead Off wrote:What do you think of this Fuji sealed teapot?

Fuji dragon seal 90ml.jpg

I don't think much

looks imitated, but the spout tries to resemble late-Qing style a lot.

I could be wrong..

chrl42 wrote:

Tead Off wrote:What do you think of this Fuji sealed teapot?

Fuji dragon seal 90ml.jpg

I don't think much

looks imitated, but the spout tries to resemble late-Qing style a lot.

I could be wrong..

Personally, I don't think it is Qing. I was told that Fuji was a seller from late Qing to 1960's. I think it is a Qing style from 50-60's, am I wrong?

Tead Off wrote:

chrl42 wrote:

Tead Off wrote:What do you think of this Fuji sealed teapot?

Fuji dragon seal 90ml.jpg

I don't think much

looks imitated, but the spout tries to resemble late-Qing style a lot.

I could be wrong..

Personally, I don't think it is Qing. I was told that Fuji was a seller from late Qing to 1960's. I think it is a Qing style from 50-60's, am I wrong?

I could be wrong, but from what I know, Zhuni replicas (if it is) came out since 90s.

There is a story that Factory-1 has used Fuji seal in early days (on lids, but traditional Fuji seals are on handles) but I cannot confirm.

Fuji was a very well-known studio during late-Qing to ROC, the replicas of Fuji didn't exist before 90s, because 'Fuji' was ok studio, not master-kinds.

Masters worked for Fuji as well, then they left their own seals along with a Fuji seal. During Late-Qing to ROC, most replicas were done for Kangxi-Yongzheng-Qianlong, the three-period, once the most flourishing period of Chinese history.

Thanks. Good to know all the stories.

Chris - What's the Chinese Character of Fuji?

福记, it is a seal that is more commonly used on the handles thou.

wert wrote:福记, it is a seal that is more commonly used on the handles thou.

This one is on the bottom.

Tead Off wrote:

wert wrote:福记, it is a seal that is more commonly used on the handles thou.

This one is on the bottom.

Some of Thailand-expored Fuji are bottom seals with dragon characters.

Good Fuji Shui Pings are a dream...hard to find. Only Hong Ni ones around these days, they are from Japan. But high-end Fuji stay in SE asia...

wert wrote:福记, it is a seal that is more commonly used on the handles thou.

Thanks Wert.

wert wrote:福记, it is a seal that is more commonly used on the handles thou.

卧虎藏龙，失敬失敬。 (crouching tiger, hidden dragon).

TIM wrote:

wert wrote:福记, it is a seal that is more commonly used on the handles thou.

Thanks Wert.

Hi Wert ~ I think 福记 still very much alive and producing higher craftsmanship yixing these days. Cheers ~ T

TIM wrote: Hi Wert ~ I think 福记 still very much alive and producing higher craftsmanship yixing these days. Cheers ~ T

Wow! You tracked the family down. I believe their entire clan has been involved in the pot making so probly more of the them around.

Their family is also responsible for the 墨緣齋意堂製 marks in the the 50s,60s and 80s? Or is that a baseless rurmor?