Yours is a different shape than the one Tim posted (his is one of the standard 'Wu Xing' shapes). I will definitely defer to kyleshen on this one. Based on the little I know of these pots, I'd agree -- to me, the chop doesn't look like any of the common narrow 22 character seals I've seen pictures of (or even on the pots I own, some of which may well be fake), and I've never seen one of these pots in this shape until Hou De posted that one. But those pots were produced by a few different factories across a long period of time.... as far as I know, the really early (mid-late 70s to early 80s) ones were all, or at least mostly, the standard shui ping style.
I think it should be a pretty good pot, regardless of when or where exactly it's from. You might be able to get something similar for a little cheaper from auction sites, but it would involve a lot of extra expenses and hassle, and might still end up with an inferior pot. I probably would have bought it myself it it were priced a little lower.
Just reading along this thread, you can see how difficult it is to identify yixing using natural clay. If long time tea drinkers can argue if something is 80's or not, most of the posters on this board are not going to know the truth.
So, what is the answer? I believe you either have to personally look at real yixing pots, feel them in your hand, study the structure, and, the most important thing is how does it brew your favorite tea! Or, find someone who really knows his/her stuff and just go for it. You have to pay your dues in any case to learn. Zhu ni will make a big difference from zisha or other clays. Mixing zhu ni will also lessen the impact of what it is supposed to do. How will most people know if it is pure zhu ni or mixed? 99% of all of us are in a quandry.
I ask questions, then, ask more questions.
So, what is the answer? I believe you either have to personally look at real yixing pots, feel them in your hand, study the structure, and, the most important thing is how does it brew your favorite tea! Or, find someone who really knows his/her stuff and just go for it. You have to pay your dues in any case to learn. Zhu ni will make a big difference from zisha or other clays. Mixing zhu ni will also lessen the impact of what it is supposed to do. How will most people know if it is pure zhu ni or mixed? 99% of all of us are in a quandry.
I ask questions, then, ask more questions.
I don't think there's such a thing as pure zhuni. Everything is somewhat mixed (pure zhuni cannot be used to make pots -- you have to mix some sand in). These days the newer 'zhuni" tend to be very glassy and have a different composition/feel to it. I don't know if they're any good other than for lightly oxidized oolongs
i think selling something on the website, the reputation is very importent. if they cheat people, some one will Complained in the internet, for example, some one maybe complained the bad quality of the teapot on the teachat, so they will hard to sell.
so you can search in google to find wether they have Negative information. this site exist a long time, if not Negative information, or some one buy teapot from the site say good, i think the site will be Credible.
pls, i think yixing teapot in out china is a niche marketing, so the negative information Spread will be more fast.
so you can search in google to find wether they have Negative information. this site exist a long time, if not Negative information, or some one buy teapot from the site say good, i think the site will be Credible.
pls, i think yixing teapot in out china is a niche marketing, so the negative information Spread will be more fast.
Apr 15th, '09, 13:07
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http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... N%26um%3D1finddream2020 wrote:i think selling something on the website, the reputation is very importent. if they cheat people, some one will Complained in the internet, for example, some one maybe complained the bad quality of the teapot on the teachat, so they will hard to sell.
so you can search in google to find wether they have Negative information. this site exist a long time, if not Negative information, or some one buy teapot from the site say good, i think the site will be Credible.
pls, i think yixing teapot in out china is a niche marketing, so the negative information Spread will be more fast.
something like this soap opera?
According to knowledgeable tea people that I know, there is such a thing as zhuni. And, it can be made into pots. These mixes and recipes are now mostly gone because the clay is gone. If a pot is 100% zhuni or close to it, it is going to be expensive. The difference with oolongs is tangible. The density of zhuni is recognizable when handling a pot and looking at its composition. But, only very knowledgeable tea people will be able to identify which pots these are. Personally, I cannot be sure, so I would have to rely on one of these people. I know the older pots have a larger grain structure than the new. They are not smooth and homogenous looking like the new ones are. It's a tough subject and an expensive one. You have to pay your dues, I think.MarshalN wrote:I don't think there's such a thing as pure zhuni. Everything is somewhat mixed (pure zhuni cannot be used to make pots -- you have to mix some sand in). These days the newer 'zhuni" tend to be very glassy and have a different composition/feel to it. I don't know if they're any good other than for lightly oxidized oolongs
Apr 16th, '09, 11:34
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Tead Off wrote:According to knowledgeable tea people that I know, there is such a thing as zhuni. And, it can be made into pots. These mixes and recipes are now mostly gone because the clay is gone. If a pot is 100% zhuni or close to it, it is going to be expensive. The difference with oolongs is tangible. The density of zhuni is recognizable when handling a pot and looking at its composition. But, only very knowledgeable tea people will be able to identify which pots these are. Personally, I cannot be sure, so I would have to rely on one of these people. I know the older pots have a larger grain structure than the new. They are not smooth and homogenous looking like the new ones are. It's a tough subject and an expensive one. You have to pay your dues, I think.MarshalN wrote:I don't think there's such a thing as pure zhuni. Everything is somewhat mixed (pure zhuni cannot be used to make pots -- you have to mix some sand in). These days the newer 'zhuni" tend to be very glassy and have a different composition/feel to it. I don't know if they're any good other than for lightly oxidized oolongs
Is this a 100% zhuni? Of course everyone have to pay their dues
I think what matters is how the clay is delicate. Zhuni is clay type, a delicate clay type, almost like a mud. More sand contained, percentage of success in a kiln higher, tapping sound lower.
Qing dynasty Zhuni makers weren't some high-skilled potter, so they had to mix some sand in as well.
Whether purity of Zhuni legend or not, seems like people still trying it, there is a way to earn 'pure' Zhuni practiced in 90's, that is using water to seperate from sand or some filter using 140~180-hole sieve to make success rate lower.
Qing dynasty Zhuni makers weren't some high-skilled potter, so they had to mix some sand in as well.
Whether purity of Zhuni legend or not, seems like people still trying it, there is a way to earn 'pure' Zhuni practiced in 90's, that is using water to seperate from sand or some filter using 140~180-hole sieve to make success rate lower.
Apr 20th, '09, 10:52
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Oni wrote:Slowly I figured this out, that houde sell very good quality stuff, and I don`t mind paying more for something better, if I had the money I would only be interested in the best grade teaware possible.
Oni, just if you are still interested in Houde's pot. The clay is pretty ok you can see the top one has not been use and the last one is the most used. The shine is great and the clay kind of feel softer and warmer the more i use them.
I got this sets to see how the clay and patina will turns out. Leaving the top one not touch, I use the other four dedicated to different kind of oolongs. Just an on going experiment. Hope this helps?
