Show Off Your Pots and Cups XI

[Victoria]

Wow, very nice Olivier! I have been looking at those. Now I need one for sure, ha!

[Ms Kita B]

Just purchased this today does anyone know what the marking means? It was labeled as an antique from Japan 1850-1899 which I doubt especially at the price it was sold.

[Chip]

Very nice Olivier and Ms Kita B. I hope you enjoy!

A recent Elm Studio aquisition. Is it a Chawan? Lacks the typical foot, but makes a great Summer Chawan. As a bonus, I finally found a use for a Korean Yuzamashi that has sat on a shelf for years. I am using that for making the matcha and pouring into this "Chawan."

Looks innocent enough?


Intrigue ...


Captivating! If the colors were not so pleasing, one could think it was the "eye" of Mordor.

[Victoria]

Wow, that is stunning! Congrats!

Yours too Ms Kita, love the scroll work!

[Dreamer]

Lovely piece, Ms Kita B...I don't have any idea what any of the art symbolizes, but I'm betting that it means that you'll enjoy many nice tea moments with this piece.

Chip, I'm waiting for that last picture to blink!

As always, thanks everybody for sharing your pictures of your tea things!!!!

Happy Sipping,
Dreamer

[chamekke]

Just purchased this today does anyone know what the marking means? It was labeled as an antique from Japan 1850-1899 which I doubt especially at the price it was sold.

Kita, you could try posting your inquiry (with pics) to the Asian Art Forums. You may have to wait a while for an informed response, but it's worth a try. I've found it very helpful on occasion.

Here's the URL:
http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/index.php

[Seeker]

Kita - great acquisition - quite beautiful.

Curious question to all you teaware experts out there in TeaChat-land - Any concerns about drinking out of an antique (not knowing what was used in the glaze - ie, lead, or ?)? I am very intrigued by some of the 'antiques' I've seen on different sites, but always wonder about safety. Of course I know about - ['... with many chawan, one only has to rotate, drink out of it once in awhile...'] (giant paraphrase). Still, I wonder. Perhaps if one is knowledgeable enough, one has a sense of what is in glazes of different eras?

Chip - Wow! I love that chawan! And, yes, eye of mordor if the colors were different. So cool.

Cheers!

[Moss]

Seeker. Old glazes may contain lead which is about the worst due to its leaching easily. It is also easy to test for, you can order little strips that change color when you rub them on the pot.

In all cases matte glazes or glazes with rough surfaces will leach more than gloss glass finishes.

PERSONALLY, I would use anything but lead for occasional use, but safety is to stick with dark blue or white or brown which are usually iron, cobalt, tin or zinc. Even a lot of lead crystal is still in use and people use that. I think that the key is occasional usage.

[Maitre_Tea]

At the expense of sounding like a total tease, my Chao Zhou Teapot from Imen just arrived. However, it cannot make its debut here because I'm in the process of prepping it...

It's very nicely shaped, and the tapping test clearly shows the high amount of iron in the clay composition; and although it doesn't sound like a bell, it's quite musical in its own way. The high iron amount also shows itself in the pot's color. I had bought this now instead of later because they were being bought up...and now I see that she's added about 20 more, which I must have! She's trying to bankrupt me here!

[Tead Off]

The high ring when tapped is indicative of a higher firing temp not the iron in the pot. But, the red color surely is a sign of high iron unless they've added oxides to color the clay which many are doing now to market their goods. Always ask the vendor if they know if oxides have been added. I doubt most will know but someone like Imen should know. Good luck with the pot.

[Seeker]

Oooo - what's the imen site address? I want to look

[Maitre_Tea]

Oooo - what's the imen site address? I want to look

Tead Off: I was told that no oxides were added, so I guess I have a "natural" and high-fired pot! awesome!

Seeker: http://teahabitat.com/store/ or her blog http://tea-obsession.blogspot.com/. If you're looking to buy one of these pots...do it soon because the last batch was snatched up fast! Her DC is sublime...I just tried her '08 Zhi Lan Xiang...and I am still left speechless

[Seeker]

Thanks Maitre!
I checked out the site!
And wow - my mom and sister live in long beach, and I grew up in San Pedro - like right around the corner from them.
I'll be paying a visit next time I'm down.
Cool stuff.
Thanks!

[Maitre_Tea]

Sadly I don't live as close as that, but I'm about an hour away I think (checked with Google Earth). I'm thinking of paying her a visit next month (way past my tea budget for the month already). The area around her store looks gorgeous though; I'm quite jealous of the people who live around that area.

[Chip]

Sadly I don't live as close as that, but I'm about an hour away I think (checked with Google Earth). I'm thinking of paying her a visit next month (way past my tea budget for the month already). The area around her store looks gorgeous though; I'm quite jealous of the people who live around that area.

Don't forget your NEED for some Japanese teaware ... I hear some special Hagi offer to TCers is forthcoming.

Thank goodness I am not actively buying Yixing too. They are quite beautiful.