Yixing

[mafoofan]

It's possible, but it's hard to say from a picture (it would be hard even in person to verify it). It looks decent. It doesn't look extraordinary.
As a price reference, you can compare it with the "custom order" pots that Essence of Tea sells/sold, or with the pots that Global Tea Hut offers. Honestly, if you pay more then $150, then you should really trust your source, or like the pot a lot. Otherwise, reselling value of generically looking pot from an unknown source might not be stellar.

The maker is Chen Ju Feng, Master Zhou’s wife at Wuxing Shan Fang studio. Comes with certificate and photo of Master Chen holding the pot.

How reputable is that maker and studio?

[Youzi]

It's possible, but it's hard to say from a picture (it would be hard even in person to verify it). It looks decent. It doesn't look extraordinary.
As a price reference, you can compare it with the "custom order" pots that Essence of Tea sells/sold, or with the pots that Global Tea Hut offers. Honestly, if you pay more then $150, then you should really trust your source, or like the pot a lot. Otherwise, reselling value of generically looking pot from an unknown source might not be stellar.

The maker is Chen Ju Feng, Master Zhou’s wife at Wuxing Shan Fang studio. Comes with certificate and photo of Master Chen holding the pot.

How reputable is that maker and studio?

Are you buying directly from the studio, or through someone?

[mafoofan]

Are you buying directly from the studio, or through someone?

Through someone I know—not directly from the studio.

[.m.]

It's possible, but it's hard to say from a picture (it would be hard even in person to verify it). It looks decent. It doesn't look extraordinary.
As a price reference, you can compare it with the "custom order" pots that Essence of Tea sells/sold, or with the pots that Global Tea Hut offers. Honestly, if you pay more then $150, then you should really trust your source, or like the pot a lot. Otherwise, reselling value of generically looking pot from an unknown source might not be stellar.

The maker is Chen Ju Feng, Master Zhou’s wife at Wuxing Shan Fang studio. Comes with certificate and photo of Master Chen holding the pot.

How reputable is that maker and studio?

Now, that's a whole different story. She's well known in the west thanks to EoT and GTH (btw. there is an article about Mr. Zhou somewhere in their magazine), and it is a reputable studio. I've never heard any complaints about their pots.

[mafoofan]

Now, that's a whole different story. She's well known in the west thanks to EoT and GTH (btw. there is an article about Mr. Zhou somewhere in their magazine), and it is a reputable studio. I've never heard any complaints about their pots.

Price was substantially more than EoT prices. I was offered pots that would have cost less than on EoT or other Western websites (like Chanting Pines), but opted for the studio’s highest grade of clay. That’s why I ask if the clay really looks that great.

[.m.]

@mafoofan It looked familiar:

*not my account

[Youzi]

Now, that's a whole different story. She's well known in the west thanks to EoT and GTH (btw. there is an article about Mr. Zhou somewhere in their magazine), and it is a reputable studio. I've never heard any complaints about their pots.

Price was substantially more than EoT prices. I was offered pots that would have cost less than on EoT or other Western websites (like Chanting Pines), but opted for the studio’s highest grade of clay. That’s why I ask if the clay really looks that great.

Is this the same pot: https://chantingpines.com/collections/t ... mond-grade

I think over $500 you should make a decision for your self. Especially regarding modern pots, think about what is important for you. Is it only the clay? Workmanship? Do you want a special shape or anything?

Would this be your first teapot?

for $400 - $500 you can order a custom teapot for yourself from Yinchen.

[mafoofan]

Is this the same pot: https://chantingpines.com/collections/t ... mond-grade

I think over $500 you should make a decision for your self. Especially regarding modern pots, think about what is important for you. Is it only the clay? Workmanship? Do you want a special shape or anything?

Would this be your first teapot?

for $400 - $500 you can order a custom teapot for yourself from Yinchen.

May be the same pot, but can’t say for sure. I did notice that one earlier and wondered if I’m getting the same thing.

Not my first pot. Just the first I’ve tried to get serious about.

Heard of Yinchen. Reputable?

[Youzi]

Is this the same pot: https://chantingpines.com/collections/t ... mond-grade

I think over $500 you should make a decision for your self. Especially regarding modern pots, think about what is important for you. Is it only the clay? Workmanship? Do you want a special shape or anything?

Would this be your first teapot?

for $400 - $500 you can order a custom teapot for yourself from Yinchen.

May be the same pot, but can’t say for sure. I did notice that one earlier and wondered if I’m getting the same thing.

Not my first pot. Just the first I’ve tried to get serious about.

Heard of Yinchen. Reputable?

Yinchen is a smaller new studio.
Wu Xing Shan Fang has Master Zhou's name, aka Brand, however Chen Ju Fang is unranked. To my knowledge Wu Xing Shan Fang only deals with Zini, and specializes in mixing Zini. So if you want a Zini teapot, I'd choose WXSF.
What's your goal? What are you looking for, for your new teapot?

Btw don't expect anything ground breaking or "Whoa!" thing from a teapot. If you want to up the quality of your tea, then 1st get better water, if you have that, then get a Glancairn glass to drink from. Teapots add more to the experience of tea drinking, than to the flavor or aroma of it.

[.m.]

Heard of Yinchen. Reputable?

Just seen on IG. On the second photo is Chen Ju Fang holding yout teapot

[Youzi]

Heard of Yinchen. Reputable?

Just seen on IG. On the second photo is Chen Ju Fang holding yout teapot

Wow, what a coincidence!
Seems Gao knows the best people Dingshan

[mafoofan]

Heard of Yinchen. Reputable?

Just seen on IG. On the second photo is Chen Ju Fang holding yout teapot

Haha. Realized he was trustworthy when he started taking and sending photos.

[Bok]

I would be sceptical basing trustworthiness on pictures... there is a whole culture of taking pictures with “famous or important” people in Asia to prove a given point or relationship. Can mean something, can mean nothing at all.

Equivalent for tea is farmers sending images of their supposed farms, tea trees etc. It’s just images, impossible to verify what’s their background story.

I’d second the above. Before you got some real experience, go with a lower priced item and take it from there.

Btw the above statement of passing it down generations probably overestimates the real value of that pot

[mafoofan]

I would be sceptical basing trustworthiness on pictures... there is a whole culture of taking pictures with “famous or important” people in Asia to prove a given point or relationship. Can mean something, can mean nothing at all.

Equivalent for tea is farmers sending images of their supposed farms, tea trees etc. It’s just images, impossible to verify what’s their background story.

I’d second the above. Before you got some real experience, go with a lower priced item and take it from there.

Btw the above statement of passing it down generations probably overestimates the real value of that pot

I have less expensive Yixing pots already. What’s wrong with wanting something better/nicer?

I would rather spend a bit more on quality and something to be proud of then buy incrementally nicer pots, each of which will just get tossed aside or forgotten. Not just my approach to teapots, but most things.

[Bok]

@mafoofan I was speaking generally, if you already got enough basic knowledge on Yixing, then by all means it’s a good idea to go for something better. I’m all in for less but better

Especially beginners tend to buy rubbish by the dozen, when for the same overall money they could have bought something really good!

Just be cautious, high value Yixing is full of trapdoors, especially if buying online...