Best Sources for Yixing Teapots

[Maitre_Tea]

So I'm looking through the different threads which do a good job at saying what kind of teapots are good, but I'm curious as where people get their yixing teapots from, and what sites are the best places to look for them?

[trallis]

it's gonna be expensive if you want good quality and authentic handmade stuff. I am not well versed enough to explain which specific traits are more important. having avoided expensive so far.. I know that there are decent quality less expensive ones available from rishitea.com and yunnan sourcing llc(ebay store).

[Maitre_Tea]

Maybe just to clarify, but I'm looking for artistic yixing teapots, but the ones that I've been finding so far are really big. So I want something that's both artistic and useful at the same time...hmmm, that sounds like a contradiction

[Cinnabar Red]

Hi,

If you like, take a peek at this site, and read the descriptions of the various pots. I've found them interesting and informative. And small pots are really neat. All of mine are .

http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... 2ba37bf7e1

Artistic and useful is not at all a contradiction. A pot crafted for use is just that regardless of appearance. Some of the most sought after pots look real simple,
but are considered masterpieces. There are also very elaborate pots made by the masters that are also prized. These designs all filters down to the more affordable , but well made pots.
We all have our own ideas of what artful means, but unless you want a pot in the shape of a moon shuttle, it probably exists. I hope this is helpful.

[hop_goblin]

Ebay Taiwan or 5000friend on Ebay as well.

[t4texas]

Besides artistic and useful, do you have a price range?

[Vulture]

Besides artistic and useful, do you have a price range?

That is probably the biggest factor. Personaly I just need one for use that is not to expensive to start with. I ordered a decent one for around 30 bucks but I will see how it turns out.

The big price changer in your question is 'artistic'. Art can make the price hard to judge. I have also heard of different types of Yixing clay in the chat room that can make a difference.

Probably the easiest thing for you to do is post what you are looking for, then people can give suggestions.

[Maitre_Tea]

No real price range. I'm looking for the teapots that look like animals and whatnot, like the fanciful shapes...but the ones I've found are way too big (like 200 ml). I was hoping to find one from about 120-150 ml.

[t4texas]

No real price range. I'm looking for the teapots that look like animals and whatnot, like the fanciful shapes...but the ones I've found are way too big (like 200 ml). I was hoping to find one from about 120-150 ml.

So anywhere from $3 to, say, $20,000 is okay?

[Maitre_Tea]

No real price range. I'm looking for the teapots that look like animals and whatnot, like the fanciful shapes...but the ones I've found are way too big (like 200 ml). I was hoping to find one from about 120-150 ml.

So anywhere from $3 to, say, $20,000 is okay?

Maybe not $20,000 but $200 would be the upper parameter I think...

[t4texas]

Others may know more about this, but my understanding is that the shapes that mimic animals, plants, fruit, dragons and such are usually larger -- partly because it gives the artist more room to work. They are more often used for display than for making tea and often use less than the best clay.

If you want the fanciful shapes, you may want to look at Chinese Tea Pot Gallery on eBay, as well as some of the others mentioned here. I would say focus on pots $24 and higher --- mostly higher. There are very inexpensive ones, but I can't recommend them. I do not have any of the CTG fanciful shape pots myself - just the more traditional shapes, so I can't say how these will be for tea-making.

My suggestion would be that if having one with a fanciful shape is important to you that you get a fanciful design primarily for display and get a well-made traditional pot for making tea. You can get both for $200 or less, unless you are wanting a fully hand-made pot, in which case they will be hard to find and also cost at least $200 each, and probably much, much more. If you find some that are as small as you are looking for, and are well-made, and inexpensive and make good tea...please let us know.

[trallis]

just get any teapot and glue some googly eyes and some ears on there and u got an elephant

[shogun89]

Probably not good quality but. . . you may like it. . .
http://www.teavana.com/Tea-Products/Tea ... Teapot.axd

[cupioneer]

No real price range. I'm looking for the teapots that look like animals and whatnot, like the fanciful shapes...but the ones I've found are way too big (like 200 ml). I was hoping to find one from about 120-150 ml.

What about this one? FunAlliance Double Dragon I have no idea what kind of quality these pots are, but maybe someone else has ordered from him before.

I haven't seen too much of what you're looking for, though you might want to check the eBay vendors. Caveat emptor, though, as many of them seem to artificially age their pots with shoe polish or some other nasty substances.