Here are some easy ways to spot a fake teapot. These are all common in clay teapots from Taiwan and Chaozhou. First, pay attention to the pattern. Most Taiwanese potters hand-build their teapots with stamp-cut patterns. Chaozhou potters, however, wheel-throw their teapot bodies. This technique creates many small concentric circles inside the body, reminiscent of clay kyuusu. If you find these in your teapot, you’ll have a fake.
Casting lines
During the process of making yixing teapots, artists are known to create small black spots, also called Tierong Tie Rong, on the surface. These spots are formed by iron melting from the clay, and are usually scattered and far between. However, it is not possible to spot them on all yixing teapots, and if you do see many of them, chances are you’re looking at a fake.
The easiest way to distinguish an authentic Yixing teapot is by pouring water into it. Water will flow evenly down the pot, without leaving any drops in its path. In other words, the pot should be largely dry, and the water will not be dripping. Moreover, water droplets indicate that the clay inside has been remolded. Therefore, it is important to use the lines in casting to differentiate between a real and a fake.
Another way to tell a real from a fake yixing is by checking the color. Yixing teapots are primarily purple, but other colors are available. Green is usually created by mixing two different kinds of clay. You can even check the glaze to see if it is made from the same clay. The most important thing to look for is the quality of the clay itself.
Tiny black spots
A yixing teapot is not considered high-quality unless it has a few tiny black spots, also called Tierong Tie Rong in Chinese. The spots are formed when iron melts on the surface of the clay. They should be few and far between. In addition, a Yixing teapot with many spots is not of high-quality. Tiny holes may also be visible on the surface of a Yixing teapot.
Yixing teapots are handcrafted and have been around since the Neolithic era. Because of the clay deposits in the hills to the southeast, the town of Dingshan and Shushan, or Dingshuzhen as it is now known, is the heart of the pottery industry. It is the oldest ceramic pottery in the world, dating back to the Neolithic period.
As the first Yixing exhibition in the US in 1977, Florence Irving may have been among the first American collectors to notice Yixing ware. If she had been, most American collectors of Chinese art would probably not have known about it. A recent exhibition of Yixing ware in New York has revived interest in this ancient form. This ceramic is considered the most elegant vessel for brewing tea.
Yixing clay teapots have numerous imperfections, including tiny holes and bumps. The holes are caused by larger grains of zisha moving outward toward the surface. The surface clay blocks the larger grains and forms a bump. If there is a hole, this means that the Yixing was made of mostly zisha clay. The bumps on the surface are also caused by pushing grain outward.
Thick walls
The thick walls of a Yixing teapot give it a distinctive aesthetic quality. In addition to their aesthetic value, these teapots are excellent brewing vessels. You can easily spot these pots in Chinatowns and bargain stores. But if you’re looking to buy one for your own home, you’ll need to know how to tell if it’s authentic. Here are a few tips:
The first thing you should know about these pots is that their thickness will determine how long they retain the tea’s flavor. Some pots are extremely porous, which makes them lose heat more quickly, while others maintain a consistent brew throughout the brewing process. As a result, the walls of a Yixing teapot will retain the fragrance longer. They’re also better for making stronger teas than other kinds.
Another tip to consider when choosing a Yixing teapot is size. Smaller pots lose heat more quickly than large ones, so you’ll want to choose one with thick walls and a round body. The infusion time for a good Yixing teapot should be around three minutes. If you’re planning on brewing tea for longer than this, use other apparatus, like a tea strainer, if necessary.
When selecting a clay for your Yixing teapot, consider the materials that it’s made from. Some clays are better than others for heat retention, and thickness will compensate for that. While the density of porcelain allows thin walls, earthenware and stoneware require thicker walls. Your size will influence the thickness of the walls. Throwing techniques are important too, as is the thickness of the clay.
Sunken letters
A Yixing teapot stamped with Sunken letters is a great way to identify a high-quality piece. Most Yixing teapots are made by only one potter. Some have more than one seal, though. Yixing pottery has an unusually high percentage of female artists. A pot that has multiple seals is likely a collaborative effort. Here are some characteristics of Yixing teapots:
Small black spots called Tierong Tie Rong are a hallmark of authentic Yixing teapots. They are the result of melting iron from the clay. When the clay cools, the iron vaporizes and forms tiny black spots on the surface. Black spots should be few and far between. If there are many spots or dark patches, it is probably not a high-quality Yixing teapot. Also, check for tiny holes and bumps on the surface.
Historically, Yixing purple clay wares were used for tea ceremonies. They were also used to serve as decoration. In addition to being used for drinking tea, these pieces also had religious meanings. Among the more famous examples are the ‘Yixing teapot’. The latter two are a popular choice for Chinese tea ceremonies. These tea pots have been produced in thousands since the mid-Edo period, when China’s imperial court was at its height.
Yixing tea wares were exported to many parts of the world, including Japan, Central America, East-South Asia, and the United States. Their popularity is primarily due to the demand for tea in these markets. They are known as purple tea pots and were widely exported. They are a good example of Chinese porcelain. A Yixing teapot has many characteristics and is worth looking for.
Thinner walls
The thin walls of a Yixing teapot are a sign of care and craftsmanship. Yixing teapots are not mass-produced, but are hand-forged by the artist. The process of hand-forming clay requires perfect measurements and careful handling. Moreover, yixing teapots do not have molds. Handmade Yixing teapots are one-of-a-kind and have a rich history in China.
Yixing teapots are made halfway by hand and by machine. The pieces are molded by machines, but assembled by hand. This technique is quite delicate and requires years of practice. In addition, the yixing artist must consider the precedents of previous teapots. It is necessary to understand the precedents before developing a new shape. Nevertheless, even the smallest change in a classic shape is a departure from the norm.
Yixing teapots are easily recognizable, but it is essential to check the authenticity of your purchase. Fortunately, the authenticity of a Yixing teapot can be confirmed online and in Chinatowns. There are also some unsavory online sellers. But the truth is, if you want to buy a teapot, it’s worth your time and money. If you’re looking for a traditional Yixing teapot, you won’t find anything inferior to the original.
Before buying a Yixing teapot, consider what type of tea you’ll be drinking. The clay in Yixing teapots is thinner than that of Jian Shui teapots. The latter, however, is made of thicker clay and works better with higher temperatures. But be warned, these pots are not cheap! You can’t buy a Yixing teapot just by looking at its price tag – you may end up with a cheap Chinese replica.
Raised type
A Yixing teapot may be a work of art, but many people prefer to use it every day as part of their daily routine. The teapot may become a trusted friend, and owners may treat it as a priceless family heirloom. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a Yixing teapot. You can find one at your local Chinatown store, at bargain stores, or online.
It is advisable to soak a yixing teapot in a large bowl of freshly brewed tea before using it. Be sure to fill the bowl almost to the brim. Once filled, submerge the teapot in the water. Allow it to sit in the brew for about half an hour before you use it. It is a good idea to leave it in the tea for at least an hour before brewing a pot of tea, as it helps the tea to absorb flavors and a few minutes longer than pouring a mug of coffee.
The yixing teapot represents the humble roots of the tea tradition. Crafted by hand, Yixing teapots are made of natural materials and are often passed on as family heirlooms. These stunning works of art are a wonderful way to serve tea with cultural flair. Clay teapots typically are unglazed, and are made from purple or red clay deposits near Yixing, a city in the Jiangsu province of China.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.