Just took a chance on this little pot

[Joel Byron]

I just bought this on ebay. You'll have to scroll down the page to get to the pics and description.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1244279708

It looks different than most of the other cheap yixings out there, at least in my limited experience. Can anyone tell me about it or translate the script?

[edkrueger]

It says: "for decorative use only".

[futurebird]

It says: "for decorative use only".

Where? I can't find this in the ad? (or is that what it says on the pot?)

I was going to say that I like the size of this pot, and the style is pretty good, but it looks used, which could be okay if that sheen is from tea (or maybe the way it was fired) but some of the seller's other items have been artificially aged I think (they look greasy) (which is unfortunate, since it can ruin items for drinking)

the teacup looks OK though...

but if it says "decorative" who knows what in it.

[Drax]

Ed is joking. It's a joke.

He's telling you that it's a sketchy looking pot that you probably shouldn't use it to brew tea. And he's telling you that in the guise of a translation of the hanzi.

And now that I've thoroughly drained the humor from the joke, I must be on my way!

[Joel Byron]

I was actually thinking about posting in the original message some comment like that! I wasn't expecting anything miraculous from the pot, just curious.

[futurebird]

Oh.

Well, I've never been good with jokes.

One of the ones on the side looks like "请"
on the bottom "如吉 ** 佯"

This either means "Pretend guitar **" or "Kyrgyzstan paradox **"

Very sensible.

It's hard to match them when they are so unclear. My husband helped me, but he's just learning. We tried all possible orders and got nothing but the above. Maybe someone who is actually literate will help you!

[Drax]

Well..... I'd like to say that you won't know for sure until you get the pot, but two things in particular about the pot raise warning flags for me (and please keep in mind I am by no means an expert in yixing pots, so take my comments with a huge grain of salt).

First, the clay has an odd glossy sheen to it. I suppose it could be the photo. Second, the Chinese characters look like they've been impressed (lightly) into the clay -- and not in the typical stamp fashion. Something about it looks very mass produced. I can't quite put my finger on anything in particular...

I am curious about the impression of the characters, though. I've never seen them done quite like that, especially on the side. Does that denote a certain process or origin...?

[TIM]

It says: "for decorative use only".

+1

[Drax]

Oh, and the characters on the bottom say 吉祥如意, ji xiang ru yi. Basically it means good luck or fortune.

As for the ones on the side 清(qing) is there, but I can't tell what the second one is.

[Joel Byron]

I translated the characters on the bottom as "edkrueger can't read chinese"
but I'm just learning

[edkrueger]

That is a good translation.

[Joel Byron]

This either means "Pretend guitar **" or "Kyrgyzstan paradox **"

How auspicious! I play pretend guitar in my band Kyrgystan Paradox!

[futurebird]

Seriously I wouldn't mind knowing how this one turns out. Do post some photos when it comes, maybe the shine is just "high fired" clay or natural aging.

I personally don't consider "mass produced" to mean "bad for brewing" --

[edkrueger]

I don't either, but that clay is just not right.

[Teaism]

Many things don't look right in the pot. Yes! Listen to the rest....for decorative use only, or it makes a nice bonsai pot.