Four New Yixings - Help Identifying

[tst]

Recently purchased four pots from someone who didn't know anything about them really, other than that she purchased them "from specialist tea shops" in Taiwan during the 90's.

I would appreciate any input from anyone who might have any ideas (possible clay types? name of shape? etc.). I'll post them separately to keep it a little more organized.

Thanks for the help.

[tst]

Pot #1













Shape: Shui ping
Clay: unsure ... hongni?
Size: 185ml to the brim
Age: 1990's or older (?)
Firing: unsure ... high-pitched ring --> high fired?

[tst]

Pot# 2







Shape: ?
Clay: some kind of zisha?
Size: 150ml to the brim
Age: 1990's or older (?)
Firing: unsure ... med-high sounding ring

[tst]

Pot# 3









Shape: ?
Clay: some kind of zisha?
Size: 125ml to the brim
Age: 1990's or older (?)
Firing: unsure ... med-sounding ring

[tst]

Pot# 4











Shape: Shui ping
Clay: some kind of zisha?
Size: 175ml to the brim
Age: 1990's or older (?)
Firing: unsure ... dull-sounding ring
Pour: slow (haven't timed yet)

[tingjunkie]

Pots 1 & 4 are the common "shui ping" shape. I believe 2 is commonly called "pan hu" and 3 is possibly "jiu tan hu." I really don't think any of these are real Yixing or Taiwanese clay unfortunately. To me, due to the brush-like marks all over, they look like they are painted with a liquid "make up" clay on the outside. Craftsmanship is pretty bad all around. Sorry for the blunt answer... there's always a strong possibility I'm wrong of course.

[Drax]

due to the brush-like marks all over

Okay, I'm glad that wasn't just me... I don't know that I've seen brush strokes on yixing-style pots before. Could that have been a technique used by a particular potter in order to remove final fingerprints and such? Or is it usually a sign of something else?

[tingjunkie]

Anything is possible, but in my experience, it's a sign of liquid slip clay hastily painted on to the outside of the pot. It's more common to see a pot that has been dipped in makeup clay, rather than painted on. Just a guess though.

[tst]

Well, not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but I really appreciate your insights and honesty (and no need to worry at all about a "blunt answer". I knew I was taking a potential risk with these pots when I bought them, but luckily I didn't pay through the nose to get them.

I'll have to compare these pots more closely with the two zhuni pots I received from Teamasters to pick up on key differences in build, technique and clay consistencies.

Much appreciated.

[TIM]

1 is a good buy if you did not pay a lot.

[MarshalN]

The first one is not hand built but is cast - the dip inside the body where the handle goes tells you that.

[tst]

Thank you all so much. I value all of your input.

Thanks TIM. I did not pay a lot ($17 shipped I believe). I had really crumby photos to go off of prior to purchasing, and given the info she provided and the price she wanted, I knew this was a risky buy. Any reason in particular why that pot is an okay buy?

MarshalN, I figured that image with the dip would provide useful information to someone who knows their stuff. Thanks for sharing that.

Much appreciated everyone.

[bryan_drinks_tea]

Thank you all so much. I value all of your input.

Thanks TIM. I did not pay a lot ($17 shipped I believe). I had really crumby photos to go off of prior to purchasing, and given the info she provided and the price she wanted, I knew this was a risky buy. Any reason in particular why that pot is an okay buy?

MarshalN, I figured that image with the dip would provide useful information to someone who knows their stuff. Thanks for sharing that.

Much appreciated everyone.

Hey Man,

that pot (#1) is probably fired to an okay degree, and while it does look like it has a 'slip' or liquid clay painted on the outside, the inside looks okay to me. Please bear in mind i'm no expert, but I have spent some time learning about and making pottery. Does pot #1 have any strange smells on it or in it?

Good Luck,

Bryan