@alejandro2high
alejandro2high wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:24 pm
It's really difficult for me to try and make a cohesive statement about what makes a teapot good, or better, because it seems that so much of that statement is personal preference. For example, there is a very strong belief amongst serious zisha collectors that antique pots are superior to modern pots, but there really isn't much to base this statement on.
My sincere advise.... don't attempt to make a cohesive or logical statement in this regards. It's an on-going illogical debate that has been debated over the decades with no end in sight. It's akin to a journey down the Yixing black hole.... hahahahaha....
alejandro2high wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:24 pm
First, the build quality has improved immensely and any teapot from Yinchen or Yann is going to be built many times better than any antique or F1 pot. However, to this, antique lovers will say that the perfection of modern pots makes them lifeless and dull, but I have modern teapots with more attitude than some people I know. To say that a perfect fitting lid, or a perfectly balanced teapot, makes a pot lifeless and dull completely ignores the advancement of technology and skills that has made it possible for a well made modern pot to exist.
Firstly, I echo
@steanze's sentiments on this. To add to it, we have to bear in mind, F1 consist of senior artists who are masters of their craft, all the way down to apprentices. Therefore the I would be very selective or specific when making a claim that modern teapots are built better than antique and F1 pots. The statement is not entirely true, nor is it entirely false. But it's a generalisation that can cause misinterpretation and misperception. The final output of a Factory1 teapot made by a senior artist will definitely be much better than a junior's mastery of his or her skills.
I agree with your point that advancement of technology has made it possible for young artist to produce stellar pieces.
alejandro2high wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:24 pm
Lastly, I know of several antique pot collectors who have never even brewed tea in a high-quality modern pot, but they are quick to dismiss them as lesser to antiques or even vintage pots. I couldn't tell you how many times I've heard the statement that any factory pot is better than a modern one even if from the late 80s to 90s. It's only been untill recently with the prevalence of Yinchen studio and such that this sentiment has slowly started to change.
Never dismiss a well made modern pot. My opinion is such that the nature of this comparison is inaccurate and inappropriate. A few very important variables are completely ignored and disregarded in this comparison. Firstly, the nature of current modern clay and antique clay is completely different. Secondly, the purity of the clay is again, completely different Filtration and Processing methods have changed and improved over time. If someone is trying to sell you "pure Zini" from the LQER period, a serious player should immediately relate that.... "purity" is an extremely rare occasion back then. Technology and Methods haven't reached that level of refinement. Thirdly, the way the teapots are fired is also completely different. In an era where electricity is non existent, "perfection" is a very relative expectation. But with modern electric ovens.... perfection is an expected outcome. I am very sure in current modern times, even with wood fired kilns, the advancement of kiln design would have optimised the heat distribution that resulted in a uniform and perfect pot. Finally, the criteria or definition of perfection has evolved with time.
The question here to ask is.... "Have our comparison evolved with time?" I too have came across many collectors and players who vouch for antique teapots and dismisses the newer ones and vice versa. My personal conclusion is that the driving factor behind their claim is not the age of those peices nor how well the pot brews, but rather the pride of owning antiques or modern masterpieces. Also bearing in mind having spent a HUGE sum of money, It's a bitter pill to swallow when a much younger modern pot or "old piece of gold" can out perform his prized possession. It's an EGO issue, sadly very prevalent in the Asian culture. Not really a clay or quality issue. If we are to see this subjectively, as long as the pot brews up a storm and sends you to tea heaven... it's an AWESOME pot!... hahahahaha.... One man's meat may be another's poison. Age is only a number.
I think I have bored guys enough with my 2cents worth.
Cheers!!