Can you tell me about this teapot?

[mcrdotcom]

Hi there,

I just got back from China, and while visiting Chongqing Huguang Guild Hall we had the opportunity to explore the little art/antique shop they have. They had a full tea table set up and someone had been brewing, and they they had a few yixing pots and some cups for sale.

I found this one most appealing as it was the only single person serving pot they had really, and I got it because it was cheap at only 300RMB, so if it isn't worth using or anything like that then I can just clean it up and use it for display purposes! I'm not very knowledgable on yixing pots, and I have 4 teapots I've bought off people online whom I deem trustworthy and helpful, so this was my first un-guided buy!

Anyway, I have added a link to some photos of the pot and lid, I was hoping someone could give me information on clay, the seal on the bottom, the writing inside the lid, and a ball park figure for the decade it was made in! I was told it was about 20 years old, and all of there pots were donated by the government.

The inside of the pot is wet at the moment, so if you need any photos of it's inside, just let me know and I'll add them to the album!

Thanks!

Album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/robsbitso ... 675509618/

[kyarazen]

private page.. cant see pictures!

[mcrdotcom]

private page.. cant see pictures!

Ah! Sorry! I changed it there!

[chrl42]

You can use it. Those oxide powers are just safe, right?

Best.

[mcrdotcom]

Thanks!

Anyone have info on the clay etc...?

[bagua7]

Mixed clay with some zini on it, I personally wouldn't use that pot to brew good tea in it as it will probably erase all the delicate notes. For good quality zini you need to look at the texture of the pot, grainy or otherwise:

Example 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Have you browsed through the Official/Different Yixing Show Off thread? There are plenty of examples in there showing quality pots. Check Jing Tea Shop's Yixing gallery too.

[kyarazen]

Mixed clay with some zini on it, I personally wouldn't use that pot to brew good tea in it as it will probably erase all the delicate notes. For good quality zini you need to look at the texture of the pot, grainy or otherwise:

Example 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Have you browsed through the Official/Different Yixing Show Off thread? There are plenty of examples in there showing quality pots. Check Jing Tea Shop's Yixing gallery too.

hard to tell the firing from the photo though. if its high fired enough it wont rob the delicates as much

[mcrdotcom]

Mixed clay with some zini on it, I personally wouldn't use that pot to brew good tea in it as it will probably erase all the delicate notes. For good quality zini you need to look at the texture of the pot, grainy or otherwise:

Example 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Have you browsed through the Official/Different Yixing Show Off thread? There are plenty of examples in there showing quality pots. Check Jing Tea Shop's Yixing gallery too.

Thank you! I have 4 other very nice pots to compare it to, 2 of which are good factory 1 pots! This teapot is heavier, and has a slightly deeper pitch to it, so I assume it is thick walled, but what can that tell me about firing?

[mcrdotcom]

Can anybody tell me what it says inside the lid and what the bottom seal is?

[mcrdotcom]

Just tested some traditional puerh in it, vs a Gaiwan brew! Interesting results! As it is unseasoned and that was the first ever tea brewed in it, it was obviously flatter tasting than the Gaiwan!

However, the mouthfeel was so much smoother, and the creamy base of the tea was really brought to the front... However again, the delicate notes were erased, but in my limited yixing experience, all new pots have a habit of doing this?

I'll test more teas in it over the next few weeks and if I land on one that just fits, then I'll push forward with it, if not I might dedicate to Shu or traditional sheng puerh because that mouthfeel was really nice!

Again, anyone translate the seal for me, and the writing inside the lid?

Thanks!