Di Cao Qing from mine #4 vs Di Cao Qing from mine #5

[steanze]

I saw around a few pots using Di Cao Qing clay from different mines, and I was curious to know whether someone on the forum can teach me about the difference between these types of Di Cao Qing.

What are the differences between Di Cao Qing clay from mine #4 and Di Cao Qing clay from mine #5? What is their effect on tea? Is Di Cao Qing from mine #4 more porous?

How do you think they would pair with Sheng Pu vs Da Hong Pao?

Thanks!
steanze

[tingjunkie]

The DCQ from mine 5 is exactly 1 better.


Actually this question is beyond my knowledge level, but I just couldn't resist. Let's hope Chrl42 or one of those guys is still lurking around here.

[Herb_Master]

The DCQ from mine 5 is exactly 1 better.


Actually this question is beyond my knowledge level, but I just couldn't resist. Let's hope Chrl42 or one of those guys is still lurking around here.

You had me going with that first sentence

Then I read the 2nd sentence

[steanze]

[chrl42]

Di Cao Qing is best for Sheng pu

DCQ #4 is tender and glossier, iron-rich

DCQ #5 has rougher texture

Both are excellent in quality..#4 is really, really rare, almost disappeared on the market..DCQ is heavy and tender..has sand-like quality..color tends to be brown-red, DCQ doesn't have 'bumpy' texture...it looks rough but very smooth in touching and has no gaps in clay-composing

But that's just to say..any sellers can name normal clay as DCQ also many mix with other clays..even potters don't know what clay etc

If you got real DCQ you are lucky, look at 'lip' or 'neck' (spots that lid and body attach) DCQ should show lots of 'sand'

[steanze]

Thanks!!

[chrl42]

Show you some characteritics of DCQ..


that white dots are called Ji Yan (silica)


a high-fired DCQ, note numerous silver (mica) particles

And I brought some some info (enhanced font is DCQ, Fe-iron/Al-alumina/Si-silica)

TFe/Fe2O3/TAl/Al2O3/TSi/SiO2
紫泥 6.222 8.895 4.418 9.145 36.26 77.59
老底槽青 8.670 12.380 7.370 15.250 27.98 59.87
中底槽青 7.892 11.270 5.560 11.50 28.08 60.11
嫩底槽青 6.986 9.980 5.645 11.68 33.30 71.25
本山绿泥 0.809 1.155 6.175 12.780 39.47 84.45
4# 底槽青 8.500 12.140 5.040 10.430 32.16 68.81
4# 紫泥 5.519 7.884 5.095 10.540 35.91 76.83
甲泥 5.905 8.475 6.655 13.775 36.90 79.03
湖滏底槽青 7.635 10.900 4.735 9.801 31.78 68.01

As its clay composition, we can get few conclusion

1) DCQ is heavy and soild
2) Color tends to be brown-red, a red bean color (The Chinese call it pig-liver)
3) Has a feel of stone and contains lots of Sha (sand)

Truth is in China, many sellers call Zhong Cao Qing, Nen Cao Qing (DCQ's upper layer) and Qing Shui ni as DCQ, that first pic is typical DCQ texture which is seldomly seen.

[steanze]

This is really interesting. Thanks a lot for the clarification! I will keep in mind what it looks like.

steanze

[auhckw]

Is this Di Cao Qing?


More photos:-
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... ad#p181333

[chrl42]

looks like modern qing shui ni, that white dots can be regarded as ji yan or ball clay.

color tends way redder, can mean a sign of low-fire, jiyan silica dot appeared about 1180c, then fired clay tends to be darker. ji yan locates inside the clay, but ball clay you can sense with a finger.

if it's DCQ, it's new one..hand-made?

[auhckw]

looks like modern qing shui ni, that white dots can be regarded as ji yan or ball clay.

color tends way redder, can mean a sign of low-fire, jiyan silica dot appeared about 1180c, then fired clay tends to be darker. ji yan locates inside the clay, but ball clay you can sense with a finger.

if it's DCQ, it's new one..hand-made?

The colour is redder I think maybe because of the lighting... it is darker than the photo.

This is semi hand made... from the same studio that made my zhuni.

[TIM]

A 500ml 5 clay ornated Di Cao Qing ? What do you think Chris?


I could be wrong

[bagua7]

I wonder what is the exact clay used in the following two pots (claimed to be di cao qing):





Thanks.