Is this an example of Slip cast ? color changing zisha ?

[kongle]

Hi, I got given this pot from my mother in law who was in a society of computer and electronic professors in China University who were given these anniversary pots. This tells me this is a new pot 5yrs or so. I got it brand new in a box.

Can anyone tell me more about this kind / style of clay ?? It is very nicely made and lid holds while inverted for 5 seconds when full of water.
It pours very fast and very nicely. Probably one of the best made pots I have and I have over 30

I was wondering if this is slip cast? I might be wrong but I can see the outer material is different than inner material. I am not sure if the inner material is zhuni??? It is porous looks a bit like stone ??? You can see the lid and opening it seems like two layers welded together. This is done seamlessly.

I only used it 5 times and I notices the outside brown is wearing off already?? See lid, the sprout and handle. But if I rub hard with my hand I don't have any black marks. I don't know if this is a feature or its just a cheap thing. Seems more I use it the brown coating on the outside is coming off in various areas in character.

I was just wondering if this was a slip cast? ... does it have any value? Is it likely to be zisha? (I am pretty sure its not zhuni from the knocking sound)

Many thanks for your replies

[apolon]

That's not a Yixing teapot, it's a Jian Shui pottery.

[chrl42]

I too don't think it's Yixing stuff..

[kongle]

That's not a Yixing teapot, it's a Jian Shui pottery.

yeah, it probably not yixing .. will it still be zisha or is it something totally different they do in Jian Shui ??

[Drax]

Scott sells a fair amount of Jian Shui, here's a good example for comparison... he provides further information on the pottery background, too.

[bagua7]

Cool pot. I guess it would suit perfectly the local tea (puerh), right?

More info about Jian Shui pottery in the following page:

http://arts.cultural-china.com/en/31A10266A14044.html

Enjoy your pot.

[kongle]

I am 100% sure now it is a Jianshui pot. Is it a slip cast? Or do they grind and burn the surface to create a dark brown/black coating that wears off during use?

[brandon]

I think you got the wrong impression of what "slip cast" means.

http://www.tokoname.or.jp/teapot/making/makepot2.htm

The effect on Jian Shui, ostensibly, comes from the polishing.

http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/pro ... oduct=1476

[gingkoseto]

Or probably a Nixing (坭兴），the other one of the top 3 Chinese ceramics? I am guessing it since the teapot is from Guangxi. But I don't know much about Nixing ceramic ware. They used to mostly make vases and home decors in Nixing, and more teapots only in recent years.

[kongle]

Or probably a Nixing (坭兴），the other one of the top 3 Chinese ceramics? I am guessing it since the teapot is from Guangxi. But I don't know much about Nixing ceramic ware. They used to mostly make vases and home decors in Nixing, and more teapots only in recent years.

i would think guangxi is correct as she lives there and the university is in guangxi.

I don't understand how the black polish ?? is coming off with use. Should I try to polish it?

Does anyone know how the clay vs Yixing zhuni or zisha ??

[JBaymore]

I don't understand how the black polish ?? is coming off with use. Should I try to polish it?

That to me says that the exterior was coated with some non-ceramic material (not fired on) that was used to give it the visual appearance it has. Some sort of paint. stain, polish, etc. Focus there is on visual qualities. One has to wonder if this coating is something that you want to have get into any liquid that you are consuming.

best,

................john

[Tead Off]

I don't understand how the black polish ?? is coming off with use. Should I try to polish it?

That to me says that the exterior was coated with some non-ceramic material (not fired on) that was used to give it the visual appearance it has. Some sort of paint. stain, polish, etc. Focus there is on visual qualities. One has to wonder if this coating is something that you want to have get into any liquid that you are consuming.

best,

................john

On the site, they describe these pots as being polished with local rocks. It could be that either these rocks impart the color or they are using some coloring agent during the polishing. It might not be paint or any other chemical coloring. Either way, I don't find this attractive.

[gingkoseto]

I looked up the producer, and it's indeed a Nixing producer. Since Nixing is not as hot as Yixing, I don't think there are many fake products out there. I like the engraving on this teapot. But I personally think both Jian Shui and Nixing are suitable for vessels much larger than the gongfu style tea ware. But as it's a university souvenir, I think a small teapot is a good idea

Nixing is usually polished and often polished with wax (because Nixing was mostly for vases instead of teapots ). You may want to scratch the surface with finger nails and see if there is wax. If so, you may want to boil it off before using.

[bearsbearsbears]

Producer: 古安陶艺 Gu An Ceramic Productions
Clay:钦州泥 Qinzhou Clay (i.e., clay from Qinzhou, Zhuang Minority Autonomous Region, Guangxi Province)

Taobao prices for this manufacturer's pots are in the 120-150 rmb range. That is US$20-$25.

The clay is described by a vendor on Taobao:

Xing Tao Nai is not glazed, color is not from waxing, and no raw chemical materials are added. Finished products are porous, non-toxic clay, with zero lead or cadmium, and it does not lend the tea a rancid smell. Other pottery can not be compared: it is a pure "green" work of art. Xing Tao Nai is suitable for personal use, collection or as a gift.
...
In the production process no ceramic pigment is added, but through high temperature firing a variety of rich color change is produced. This cannot be predicted and controlled, and is known as "kiln treasure."

[bearsbearsbears]

I should also add that I believe they're withholding the entire truth. From the appearance of the pot, a second clay is applied to the face of the pot and polished before firing, some of it rubbing off to expose the base clay at the edges. That's my novice potter opinion