Authentic Yixing?

[Tyranus]

Hello,
As I stated in my presentation, I'm quite noob to teaware and related matters, always looking for improvements.
In my search I came across this Yixing teapot (or, at least, I hope it is) sold by a local antiquities shop (don't know if it's the right word, my english is not that good) for a good price.
Every piece had a sticker on it (I still have one to show you, if you want) and on the box it was written "Zi Sha Yi Xing".
Let me know what you think about it!
Thanks in advance

[kyarazen]

not very positive i think

[Drax]

Wow, everything about that pot looks really rough. The clay, the leaves on the side, the fit of the lid, the chop (the impression on the bottom).

I can't tell you anything more about it, though...

[theroots]

Unfortunately I agree with Drax: The lid doesn't really fit, the leaves aren't applied very well and basically all the contours are rough. This is not a skillful artists work. The mark on the bottom looks odd as well. Nevertheless this doesn't mean you have to like it less since beauty can be everywhere!

[Tyranus]

Unfortunately I agree with Drax: The lid doesn't really fit, the leaves aren't applied very well and basically all the contours are rough. This is not a skillful artists work. The mark on the bottom looks odd as well. Nevertheless this doesn't mean you have to like it less since beauty can be everywhere!

Thanks for all the answers, what I really wanted to know was if it is safe to use this one (for my pu erhs) and if you think this is authentic.
Thanks again

[theroots]

It's always hard to say if it's an authentic Yixing teapot. Reading the rather poor quality I doubt it's a yixing teapot unless it's from a novice. They clay looks odd as well (at least low-fired?). On the other hand there are so many well shaped teapots offered which aren't real yixing as well. Even if a teapot isn't an authentic Yixing teapot this still doesn't mean it's not safe to use.

But: Instead of looking at a teapot and guessing if it's yixing or safe to use it's easier to look for a reliable and renowned seller and buy one of his products. That's the safest way to get a good teapot.

[the_economist]

not very positive i think

+1

[futurebird]

Unfortunately I agree with Drax: The lid doesn't really fit, the leaves aren't applied very well and basically all the contours are rough. This is not a skillful artists work. The mark on the bottom looks odd as well. Nevertheless this doesn't mean you have to like it less since beauty can be everywhere!

Thanks for all the answers, what I really wanted to know was if it is safe to use this one (for my pu erhs) and if you think this is authentic.
Thanks again

A good test for safety is smell. It's not full-proof of course but smell it. fill with hot water empty then smell again. It should not smell like much of anything at all.

[bagua7]

Every piece had a sticker on it (I still have one to show you, if you want) and on the box it was written "Zi Sha Yi Xing"

Stickers don't guarantee the validity of a product, unfortunately.

That pot is not a real Yixing.

I wouldn't use it to brew Chinese tea in it, try using porcelain until you find a better pot next time; in the meantime, have you thought of buying a Yixing pot online? There are some vendors who you could buy from. Feel free to ask, if interested.

Good luck!

[TuoChaTea]

I would not use that teapot. You can buy good teapots for very reasonable prices, do not stick with these.

[Tyranus]

Thanks to everyone, for your replies and for the help provided, this really means much to me
I spoke with a friend of mine about my love for tea, and she gave me this teapot: she told me it was quite old but her family was about to throw that away...here are some pics:







Any opinions? Was it a good idea to throw this one away?

[theroots]

The good thing: It's better than the first one!
But this one is rather made for decoration purposes than for daily use. An unusual piece for sure.

[Tyranus]

Thanks for the reply!
Even if it's primarily for decoration, would you say it'd be safe to use this one for tea?

[theroots]

Hard to say without knowing the source and even then it's more or less just a guess. As futurebird said: "A good test for safety is smell. It's not full-proof of course but smell it. fill with hot water empty then smell again. It should not smell like much of anything at all."

But since this teapot is not primarily made for brewing tea you can't expect that they used the best material. So you neither can expect that it will improve your tea.. that's for sure. Just ask yourself if you can use it without a bad feeling. If you can't, just use it as decoration. If you can, then go ahead without thinking about it too much. But as already mentioned: if you really want a good teapot don't look for a good teapot, look for a reputable seller.

[Tyranus]

Well, I tried smelling it before and after a good hot water wash and I couldn't smell anything...I don't know what to do