Need advice on 80's yixing teapot.

[ArNg]

Hello tea chatters. Ok! I was at my local teashop recently and i came across a few 90's and 80's teapot. My question is, does getting an older pot to brew tea will make it taste better? I know most yixing clays are exhausted and getting these older pots might be good but because it cost quite a bit I'm still contemplating. The 90's pot made with 80's zisha cost about USD180 and the 80's pot is about USD300. Anyone can advise?

[wyardley]

The prices sound a bit high for Malaysia, but of course it depends on the pot. I would spend some time looking around, and buy some cheaper pots from the same era first, just to start developing a sense of what you like, what stores are reliable, etc.

[ArNg]

The price high? Hmmm if you think it's high compared to elsewhere then I should be looking elsewhere cos price of yixing ware should be cheaper in Malaysia. I'm not too sure about old pot's price that's why I need opinions.

[tingjunkie]

First of all, it's possible to take a fantastic Yixing pot and make bad tea with it if a) you use an incompatible tea, b) use bad quality tea, or c) don't know how to brew in the first place. No pot exists from any era which automatically makes tea better.

There were both great and crappy pots made in the 80's, just as there are great and crappy pots made today. The main difference is that back in the 80's, higher quality clay was not as hard to find (or expensive) as it is now. You are lucky because these pots are already at your local shop. You can see, touch, feel, and smell them. If the owner is on the level, you can even probably test them out right there in the shop. Assuming you are looking at these pots as tea brewing tools, and not collectors items, whether or not they are worth their price is entirely up to you and your taste buds!

If you are thinking of their monetary investment value, you haven't posted pics, told us what clay and size, or mentioned if they are from a known artist or not. Generally speaking, $300 is too much to pay for the vast majority of commercial grade pots from the 80's. Maybe if it's a well made zhuni pot it might be worth it, since those always command higher prices in the no name commercial pot market.

[ArNg]

First of all, it's possible to take a fantastic Yixing pot and make bad tea with it if a) you use an incompatible tea, b) use bad quality tea, or c) don't know how to brew in the first place. No pot exists from any era which automatically makes tea better.

There were both great and crappy pots made in the 80's, just as there are great and crappy pots made today. The main difference is that back in the 80's, higher quality clay was not as hard to find (or expensive) as it is now. You are lucky because these pots are already at your local shop. You can see, touch, feel, and smell them. If the owner is on the level, you can even probably test them out right there in the shop. Assuming you are looking at these pots as tea brewing tools, and not collectors items, whether or not they are worth their price is entirely up to you and your taste buds!

If you are thinking of their monetary investment value, you haven't posted pics, told us what clay and size, or mentioned if they are from a known artist or not. Generally speaking, $300 is too much to pay for the vast majority of commercial grade pots from the 80's. Maybe if it's a well made zhuni pot it might be worth it, since those always command higher prices in the no name commercial pot market.

The one I'm looking at and considering is a zisha. I did not take pictures of it because it's my first time there and first time encountering pots from 90's and 80's. Even handling makes me sweat just in case a break it
The 80's zhuni is going for $300 and the one I'm considering is $180. I don't plan to go for the zhu ni is because I already have a couple of them. Maybe the next trip I will post up the pictures here so you guys can judge. If I'm not mistaken below the pot says Meng Chen but those days most used Meng Chen eventhough it's not made by him, right?

[tingjunkie]

$180 might be an ok price for a zisha pot, depending on the quality of the clay and craftsmanship. Meng Chen seals were extremely widely used on commercial pots, so that won't tell you much unfortunately. Post pics, and more importantly, see if the shop owner will let you try it out there using the gaiwan method, or give you a week long trial/return period.

[GongFuChan]

I'm just going to chime in and say I think $180 is a really steep price for an unknown pot. I'm sure the sales guy is using the "80's" clay pitch but honestly, most pots sitting around on shelves are older pots made with 80's clays. That doesn't really mean anything in terms of quality. (example, i bought a pot last year..made in 1995 using 80's clay..and it was $30. It is by no means a high quality pot. It's just a tea pot)

The main thing to remember is that none of them are magical pots. These are working class tea vessels that people can buy and love for years. You can get some artistic quality with them as well. That's when your prices start cresting $100. If you're really bold you can get into the collector's end of it. There, the world of Yixing is full of myths and legends about the clays, availability, and who really has the good clay. A lot of that was said to add perceived value to the numerous pots that were thrown together in the 90's but ended up sitting in warehouses. You basically have to trust your gut and learn by handling them.

The best thing you can do is, once the price tag goes above $100 you need to start asking why. Then it's time for pictures and second opinions. If the pot really speaks to you though, and you don't mind paying so much, it's really your call. I'd pay $180 for a decorative melon pot for instance, but not a plain classic design. Not ever.

[bagua7]

There, the world of Yixing is full of myths and legends about the clays, availability, and who really has the good clay.

Finally someone had to say it.

You basically have to trust your gut and learn by handling them.

It should become the mantra of this sub-forum. Pity for those who live far from large Chinese communities.

The best thing you can do is, once the price tag goes above $100 you need to start asking why. Then it's time for pictures and second opinions.

Exactly. Problem is that China today is suffering from inflation which has almost doubled the price of zisha pottery; hence you won't find too many decent pots for less than that price, especially online.

Great advice!

[ArNg]

Well, I did find the price kind of steep that's why I created a thread to ask for opinions and you guys did help. I might not go for the so called 80's pot though. I guess I have always bought teapots using feel and I guess my enthusiasm of wanting a vintage pot got the better of me.

[ArNg]

Here is the 80's teapot that I was considering a while back. Did not get it. Just thought of posting this up for you guys to see and comment.

[the_economist]

that is nice clay in my opnion. i'm not going to place a value on it though.

[ArNg]

Can you share with me your view of why it's a nice clay? Thanks.

[brandon]

Can you share with me your view of why it's a nice clay? Thanks.

It has beautiful texture and luminance. Should feel silky to the touch but is still porous and smooths out tea, improves mouth feel - but not too porous, a delicate balance! How's the taste?

[ArNg]

Hmm I did not asked them to brew tea in that pot. It's unused. It has thick walls though. It's a high fired zisha from what the vendor said. Single hole filter. Instead of buying that I bought 2 other cheaper modern zisha which fancied me
I don't know whether I will get this pot but it's still under my wish list. Should I? Lol. It cost nearly 200 dollars. Gulp!

[wyardley]

I don't know whether I will get this pot but it's still under my wish list. Should I? Lol. It cost nearly 200 dollars. Gulp!

Did you see if they're willing to give you a better price?