Is this real zhu ni?

[wenpin]

I understand that the shrinkage marks for zhu ni can sometimes be simulated... what do you make of this? Is this for real?

[IPT]

I don't see any shrinkage marks on the teapot. Can you take more photos?

[TokyoB]

Hmmm...could be real. You should see if chrl42 can give his opinion.

I bought a zhuni pot in Beijing a few months ago. The look is somewhat similar. On my pot, which is about 150ml in capacity, the shrinkage lines on the pot are quite visible, like yours. However on my pot they are not really visible on the lid although they are on yours.

Where did you acquire the pot from? and, if you don't mind, the price?

How about more pictures so we can see the whole pot, the inside, the lid, etc.?

[wyardley]

Based on that picture alone, the wrinkles don't look quite right to me.

[TokyoB]

Hmmmmm again.....My first reaction was the same as Will's. I have half a dozen or so pots which are supposedly zhuni (whatever that really means, I have some "modern" zhuni). However only the most recent purchase looks somewhat similar. I bought it in Beijing with chrl42. It is handmade.

When I checked the look of the pot I thought it might be somewhat similar. Looking again and taking a look at some closeup photos of mine I'm not so sure. Yours looks different anyway - more pronounced ridges and the ridges on the lid. Some photos are below. Unfortunately these quick snaps are not great.

[TokyoB]

Also, do you think the colors in the photo are pretty true? It looks very bright red/orange. Of course we all have different monitors, etc.

[edkrueger]

I understand that the shrinkage marks for zhu ni can sometimes be simulated... what do you make of this? Is this for real?

Looks like its textured to me –especially how the supposed shrinkage lines don't show on the base of the lid.

[IPT]

Yes, the "rippling" is intentional. They added a texture to the pot for asthetic effects. It's really hard to tell if it's real Zhuni by a photograph because everyone's monitors are different and even a camera can alter the color. It'd have to be seen first-hand. Zhuni shrinkage means the lid doesn't sit quite right, or the handle, spout, or shape get a bit deformed by shrinkage. It doesn't refer to the texture of the pot.

[MarshalN]

These textures are easily simulated with a wet piece of toilet paper, or so I'm told

[wenpin]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions and saving some tuition money! I was a little suspicious of the consistency in direction and texture of the ripples. In fairness, the seller never represented the pot as being made of zhu ni, just "old."

Marshall, any idea how they would use wet toilet paper to create the texture?

[wenpin]

That's a very nice looking pot. Congratulations on your purchase! The texture certainly looks a lot more natural than the one I showed.

[edkrueger]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions and saving some tuition money! I was a little suspicious of the consistency in direction and texture of the ripples. In fairness, the seller never represented the pot as being made of zhu ni, just "old."

Marshall, any idea how they would use wet toilet paper to create the texture?

I wouldn't be too quick to pass on it. It appears to be a rather nice pot. Its not lao zhuni, but neither are most people's zhuni pots.

[edkrueger]

It does, however, look a bit too red in the pictures.

[Chip]

It does, however, look a bit too red in the pictures.

... break out the Kiwi Yixing Polish

[edkrueger]

Lol. I think they might have already used some. Perhaps tea oil.