Tea connoisseurs are very familiar with the delicious brew that can only be made in a Yi Xing teapot. This Chinese teapot has such a celebrated reputation, that any teapot enthusiast would want to know more about its origins and its current standing in the sea of modern day pottery.
The Beginnings Of The Yi Xing Teapot
During the Ming Dynasty, the main consideration in the crafting of teapots was their portability. That is why the teapots from that dynasty were shaped in a classic form. Tea drinkers would usually have a particular teapot used for travelling, which tended to be very small and less costly.
It was only in the midst of the Qing Dynasty (otherwise known as the 18th century) when the tea cognoscente began to make use of the teapot in the home and inspired the teapot craftsmen to design a wider variety of shapes and sizes. You may have seen quite a number of fascinating and often whimsically designed teapots. Some of them have poems or calligraphy inscribed upon them, and some have intricate paintings and beautiful seals engraved on the surface. The Yi Xing teapot received its name from the town of Yi Xing in eastern China. However, the teapots themselves were not manufactured there, but in a nearby town called Dingshan. The term "Yi Xing clay" from which the teapot is made, is often referenced to depict the many different kinds of clay that are used to create stoneware.
The Value Of A Yi Xing Teapot
A person can find a Yi Xing teapot that can be very inexpensive, and another one which is extremely expensive. That is why many collectors and tea enthusiasts express concerns of unknowingly buying fakes or reproductions of an original. This objection is real and part of the anxiety when a novice wants to buy a yixing teapot. Authenticity can be a challenge even for an expert. However, artisans have always looked to the prototypes of master teapot makers as an artistic mark to strive for when creating a yixing teapot. The teapot masters are known for their quality work, making design durability and quality craftsmanship a mark of excellence in the craft. These prototypes are also duplicated in the cheap commercially made yixing teapots because of the popularity and durability of the design. Two such teapot designs would be the gourd-ladle and the buffalo nostril.
The yixing teapot has been a muse to other cultures in the production of ceramic tea ware. The traditional Chinese craftsmen often borrow designs and aesthetic influences from creations of the previous eras. Of course, these may not be referred to as fakes for these can be highly valued. However, it is important to note that there is the ongoing concern about fake teapots.
The teapot can undergo a "thermoluminescence test" which can give an approximate date of the last firing. This could be considered to an equivalent to carbon dating where you reportedly you get some idea of the items physical history. Small samples of the piece are taken from the teapot though, which can pose a risk to its value and form.
Here is some advice that isn't foolproof, but that may help to navigate the waters. Find a vendor that you would be willing to buy from. Once you find a vendor, look over the inventory and find something you like and that is reasonably priced. If you like the vendor but don't see a pot you like, check back later, as they are bound to refresh their offerings.
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