What pot?

[mordenmarauder]

Hello - can anyone tell me something about this brown cast iron teapot as pictured. Is it Chinese? Being a dumb Westerner, I'd like a translation of the markings on the base. It stands 16cm high and is 13cm at widest part across the base
Thanks in advance

[BW85]

Cast iron?

Looks like clay

[miig]

got a magnet at hand, thread author?

[kyarazen]

zisha.

made by liu bing yuan of tianyuan tao yi
'
design is kui hua liu ban.. with a handle...

queer!

[mordenmarauder]

Thanks for the replies. Being a virgin in these matters, it just seemed to be metal to my unpracticed eye but the magnet test says otherwise. Good job I haven't dropped it then!
kyarazen - you have identified it from the stampings but what else can you tell me: is it a contemporary piece? Is it very rare? How much would it have cost new and where would it have been sold? I acquired it in a house clearance. It doesn't have any signs of use: if I used it,would it be OK to put loose tea in and then just pour in the hot water?
Thanks in advanced
Mordenmarauder

[BW85]

if I used it,would it be OK to put loose tea in and then just pour in the hot water?
Thanks in advanced
Mordenmarauder

Yes, that's how it's intended to be used

[mordenmarauder]

Yes, it was a dumb question from someone who has been making tea for 50 years! I suppose I asked that as it seems such a strange beast to me - so thin walled. I'm so used to bog standard British chunky teapots