Yi Xing Wood Seals

[Tead Off]

It is said that prior to the '60's(?), most seals used on Yi Xing teapots were made from wood. Regardless of the dating, how can a wood seal be differentiated from a stone or metal seal?

[茶藝-TeaArt08]

It is said that prior to the '60's(?), most seals used on Yi Xing teapots were made from wood. Regardless of the dating, how can a wood seal be differentiated from a stone or metal seal?

+1 on this question. I'm curious too. I have some older pots from my wife's father and some of the seals are different. I would look forward to hearing an answer from someone who knows.

Blessings!

[betta]

If you have older teapots, you might have a look and compare with contemporary teapot. I seriously doubt if someone, other than our chrl + wyardley, will answer this question. Those who can, will not share this info because he/she might have paid tuition fee for getting this. No free lunch

[Tead Off]

It can also be a sign of not knowing how to differentiate and a fear of being wrong. Culturally speaking, I see this deeply embedded into Chinese mentality and the culture of greed that some people live by. It's not easy to differentiate this and the look of wooden seals vary incredibly within their own genre. Then there are the ones trying to fake the look a wooden seal. But, one has to start somewhere. Why not with a positive attitude?

[chrl42]

If you have older teapots, you might have a look and compare with contemporary teapot. I seriously doubt if someone, other than our chrl, will answer this question. Those who can, will not share this info because he/she might have paid tuition fee for getting this. No free lunch

It's really difficult. Factory-1 did use metal chops but wooden chops being the main. Same question can be tossed on older Yixings carved by metal knives, but bamboo knives were the common.

I almost fail to differentiate the Ming-Qing carvings in what device they were used...but Factory-1 seals I've seen had some differences. But it's really hard to describe by words, just to understand that metal has a more gravity than woods. I hope to attach some pics later when I have a chance..

[chrl42]

It can also be a sign of not knowing how to differentiate and a fear of being wrong. Culturally speaking, I see this deeply embedded into Chinese mentality and the culture of greed that some people live by. It's not easy to differentiate this and the look of wooden seals vary incredibly within their own genre. Then there are the ones trying to fake the look a wooden seal. But, one has to start somewhere. Why not with a positive attitude?

What greed are you talking about?

I think you are thinking too deeply...it's just a teapot, man.

Let's get lighten up

[Tead Off]

I was talking about people who don't like to share knowledge because they are afraid others will buy the things they are interested in. Doesn't take too much thought to see this. Try not to misunderstand what I said.

[betta]

It's really difficult. Factory-1 did use metal chops but wooden chops being the main. Same question can be tossed on older Yixings carved by metal knives, but bamboo knives were the common.

I almost fail to differentiate the Ming-Qing carvings in what device they were used...but Factory-1 seals I've seen had some differences. But it's really hard to describe by words, just to understand that metal has a more gravity than woods. I hope to attach some pics later when I have a chance..

Hey Chrl, many many thanks in advance for the info.

[wyardley]

I don't claim any special knowledge on this subject, but I thought I remembered something about the wood seals wearing out (since they're less hard than stone), and thus losing some sharpness and maybe gaining some irregularity over time.

[betta]

I was talking about people who don't like to share knowledge because they are afraid others will buy the things they are interested in. Doesn't take too much thought to see this. Try not to misunderstand what I said.

Take it easy, my friend. We need to understand why people behave like this.
If everyone can master a certain skill, then everyone is equal, no one is special.

As always, knowledge / science blows away mystery cloud that surrounds a subject. Often, it also left the "player" naked like the story of the king wearing "invisible coat" in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.

For those who live from "fishing in muddy water", sharing knowledge is definitely not a good idea

Have you ever given a thought, why a yixing pot made by any grandmaster in China is offered at a much higher price than a Japanese pot made by a grandmaster in Japan regardless the difference in buying power per capita in both countries?

or better this one: why a walnut can cost 1000$+ in China but only 5$/kg elsewhere?

The fact that the price goes higher and higher everyday means there is a market for it. If someone wins, there has to be also a looser.
And the looser is normally those who are less informed.
As long as no one shares knowledge, this game can go on longer

In the 17th century, Europeans learned from the tulip speculation until one day they realized that "the precious tulip" was literally only a flower.

[betta]

I don't claim any special knowledge on this subject, but I thought I remembered something about the wood seals wearing out (since they're less hard than stone), and thus losing some sharpness and maybe gaining some irregularity over time.

Now you force me to add your name on my initial post above

[Tead Off]

I don't claim any special knowledge on this subject, but I thought I remembered something about the wood seals wearing out (since they're less hard than stone), and thus losing some sharpness and maybe gaining some irregularity over time.

That would make sense, but how did it look to begin with? There are so many variables. Even stone and metal lose their 'edge' from use and could have irregularities right from the beginning.

I was re-reading Billy Mood's treatise on Yi Xing pots and he mentions the use of wooden seals primarily before the 60's. He seemed to indicate that the presence of a wooden seal could guarantee the authenticity of an 'old' pot if all the other factors were also in place, not by itself. He implies that wooden seals can be recognized, but I think it would take someone many years of handling teapots to be able to recognize the difference between seals. Throw in all the fakes and the job is almost impossible, methinks, nowadays.

[Tead Off]

Take it easy, my friend. We need to understand why people behave like this.

I already understand why people behave like this. My question was about wood seals, not the psychology of why people think a certain way. Sorry if you misunderstand where I'm coming from. I'm not looking to argue.