Yixing

[TeaTotaling]

Celebrating with this gem today, and it doesn’t get much better. Perfectly fired, top-grade Di Cao Qing Zini, aged 30 years, from Huang Long Shan #4 mine, 280ml.

The versatility of this clay never ceases to amaze me. It went from a pot devoted to Aged Sheng, to All-Star status, and ohh baby does it shine with everything I feed it. Gaining a lovely patina from routine 15-17g sessions. The heat retention is just superb, and extremely consistent. Ideal for flash infusions, or much longer brews. Today’s tea was a lovely Ya Shi Dancong, 16g’s. It brewed up impeccably and the session was absolutely euphoric.

This pot exudes a strong spirit, and has taken my love for Zisha to new heights. A wonderful, artful masterpiece, on all accounts. A true collectors delight.

“Success can be won through skill, intelligence, sometimes sheer perseverance, regardless of birth.”
-Zhu Xiao Qing

How big is the teapot? 16g per session.

280ml.

[TeaTotaling]

"You can drink tea from any kind of vessel, but why Yixing Zisha?? Arts and crafts bring spiritual enjoyment, especially when it's an art, and at the same time, it's practical to use. Otherwise, you lose your interest, and you won't want a second one."
-Grandmaster Gu Jing Zhou

[wave_code]

Not the best photo but... noticing already quite a bit of change in the color and patina of this pot - its gotten significantly darker, maybe a bit more smooth looking. I got it from @mael somewhere around 3 or 4 months ago, was basically still brand new. This is just from water and brewing - I do pour over the pot a fair amount when brewing since its small and I want to keep the heat up, but I don't wash it in tea or brush it. Mostly for liu bao, but also sometimes with shu - I'm not so picky about swapping between the two, and at 80ml its a perfect size to complement my 120ml nixing.

It originally came from EoT - I'd be curious to know more about it if possible - supposedly it is a 90s Factory 5, I have no idea if that would make it a type of zini clay? Anyone got any ideas? I can post the seal if it helps.

[Bok]

@wave_code 90s is already difficult to pin point as there were so many styles produced, F5 almost has no documentation, so it gets even more difficult... but with eot I do not see why what they say should not be taken as is.

Apart from that, just enjoy the pot

[Andrew S]

I was wondering if anyone might proffer any thoughts about this teapot, and in particular the clay...

Roughly 100mL, seven-hole filter, zhong guo yi xing stamp.

I seem to recall it being advertised as a Factory 2 ben shan lü ni clay from the 90s or 2000s, but I'll leave it to wiser minds to agree or disagree on that.

People seem to say that ben shan lü ni is porous and muting, but this is probably the least porous pot that I have. It has worked well with yan cha, despite being a little bit too big.

It is hard to take photos that show its colour as it appears in person. It is olive green overall I think, with some areas that show more olive specks, and some areas that show more yellow specks. Unfortunately I don't have a macro lens to get closer to it, but let me know if anyone wants to see it from another angle.

Andrew

[DailyTX]

Any collectors/seniors can provide input if 太阳线 existed before factory period?

[k9kyle]

Hello friends. I am looking for more information on this tea set as I know very little about the subject (although my knowledge is rapidly increasing during this current search). Anyway, I bought it at a thrift store the yesterday. Don't really know where to start but a few people have suggested that it is a Yixing pot I was thinking I'd pay to get it appraised online and then someone pointed me to this website and I thought i'd give it a try (thanks for having me!).

My main concern would be the pot being fake or rather containing harmful dyes. Other than that, any and all information is appreciated.

I am currently at work but if anyone needs more pictures I can provide them when I get home this evening.

Thank you!
Kyle

[Bok]

Hello friends. I am looking for more information on this tea set as I know very little about the subject (although my knowledge is rapidly increasing during this current search). Anyway, I bought it at a thrift store the yesterday. Don't really know where to start but a few people have suggested that it is a Yixing pot I was thinking I'd pay to get it appraised online and then someone pointed me to this website and I thought i'd give it a try (thanks for having me!).

My main concern would be the pot being fake or rather containing harmful dyes. Other than that, any and all information is appreciated.

I am currently at work but if anyone needs more pictures I can provide them when I get home this evening.

Thank you!
Kyle

Good you’ve found your way here, appraisal would definitely cost more than what this set is worth, if you can even find someone knowledgeable enough to provide such services

Looks like one of these “tourist” decorative sets from somewhere in between 90s to now to me. Just use it and see if you like what it does.

[DailyTX]

I too think it modern. Try to brew a couple pots of hot water and see if you noticed any chemical smell coming from the pot. You can browse through other threads on this forum for helpful info on yixing.

[OCTO]

My main concern would be the pot being fake or rather containing harmful dyes. Other than that, any and all information is appreciated.

I agree with @Bok and @DailyTX. The appraisal fees might cost more than the entire set.... unless you are willing to accept a "non certified appraisal" from Team TF!... Then the pot will definitely cost more... ahahahaha....

The pot definitely looks like a non factory 1 mass production pot. I have a similar type of pot from the 70s period. Workmanship is nothing to shout about, but it brews up a very decent cup of LiuBao. So in my books, it's a good pot.. hahahaha....

Cheers!!

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[wave_code]

@OCTO does yours have any kind of mark on the bottom? while most of these styled/shaped teapots especially with added colors aren't to my taste, usually newer ones as the designs seem to get more tacky and extreme over time, I've seen a few nicer looking older ones like yours that are more subtle and/or where the workmanship is nicer. they seem tricky to date though, but maybe because I'm still learning about this or haven't been able to compare two in person to see the clay up close - but to me its tricky mainly because the clay is so different looking than say an older shuiping - they all tend to have this very smooth/flat character. other than knowing which designs actually are from the 70s/80s (though of course they can/are copied a LOT) or unless there is still got a fang yuan pai sticker on it, is the only real ID recourse pouring hot water and going by smell/taste?

[OCTO]

OCTO does yours have any kind of mark on the bottom? while most of these styled/shaped teapots especially with added colors aren't to my taste, usually newer ones as the designs seem to get more tacky and extreme over time, I've seen a few nicer looking older ones like yours that are more subtle and/or where the workmanship is nicer. they seem tricky to date though, but maybe because I'm still learning about this or haven't been able to compare two in person to see the clay up close - but to me its tricky mainly because the clay is so different looking than say an older shuiping - they all tend to have this very smooth/flat character. other than knowing which designs actually are from the 70s/80s (though of course they can/are copied a LOT) or unless there is still got a fang yuan pai sticker on it, is the only real ID recourse pouring hot water and going by smell/taste?

Yes. There is a seal at the bottom. There are many ways to ID a pot... no one way is a definitive indicator. We usually use a combination of several to come to a conclusion. I have came across a pot which had every indicator pointing to a late 80s workmanship and clay. But then, it came with a 70s F1 green sticker and a early 80s 中国宜兴 seal at the bottom.... so it that a 70s F1 green label? F1 80s green label?? Or a 80s F1 1st gen square label?! We can argue until mankind steps on Mars... we will never get an answer.. hahahahaha....

Cheers!!

[DailyTX]

@OCTO & @wave_code
I feel like the debate on authenticity of F1 pots will be like the debate on imperial kiln pottery in China. It will probably be discussed beyond our times

[DailyTX]

I have been learning more about hongni category, and I came across this pot. Initially, I thought it might be 90s F1 pot as it has a F1 potter's mark. I think it has been painted with a dark tone of material on inside and outside. I am not sure if this is done in 90s F1. What do you think?

[Bok]

I have been learning more about hongni category, and I came across this pot. Initially, I thought it might be 90s F1 pot as it has a F1 potter's mark. I think it has been painted with a dark tone of material on inside and outside. I am not sure if this is done in 90s F1. What do you think?

Got more pics of the overall pot? Looks odd from these images. That filter hole area looks very weird...