Factory or Faketory?
- tingjunkie
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:39 pm
Time for a fun Yixing identification game...
I've bought a good number of teapots over the years from reliable sources, as well as Chinatown shops, antique shops, and internet markets. I'll post a new one each day, and folks can debate if it's an authentic Factory 1-5 pot, or a reproduction. [Edit: For the record, don't be shy about critiquing my pots! They all make excellent tea, which is why I collect them, and their status as collectible Factory pots or not is far less important to me as a tea lover.]
Here's pot #1: 85-90ml Hongni Xian Piao. Authentic Factory pot, or a repro?
I've bought a good number of teapots over the years from reliable sources, as well as Chinatown shops, antique shops, and internet markets. I'll post a new one each day, and folks can debate if it's an authentic Factory 1-5 pot, or a reproduction. [Edit: For the record, don't be shy about critiquing my pots! They all make excellent tea, which is why I collect them, and their status as collectible Factory pots or not is far less important to me as a tea lover.]
Here's pot #1: 85-90ml Hongni Xian Piao. Authentic Factory pot, or a repro?
Last edited by tingjunkie on Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
I'm going to say repro, based on the messy stamp. I could be wrong
- OldWaysTea
- Vendor
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Nice looking photos! I'm looking forward to what people have to say.
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I'm guessing this one isn't f1. If it is than based on way opening/lip is done it's no older than white sticker.
- tingjunkie
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:39 pm
Pot #2
Let's stick with Xian Piao shape. This one is 105ml zisha. "Shi Xiao-Ma" stamp under lid. It's a single hole, but I installed a custom silver strainer. This is is the only pot in my collection that I've ever dropped and broken, so the handle is JB Welded back together. I might spring for kintsugi to cover the cracks one day...
Let's stick with Xian Piao shape. This one is 105ml zisha. "Shi Xiao-Ma" stamp under lid. It's a single hole, but I installed a custom silver strainer. This is is the only pot in my collection that I've ever dropped and broken, so the handle is JB Welded back together. I might spring for kintsugi to cover the cracks one day...
Last edited by tingjunkie on Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- tingjunkie
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:39 pm
I'm trying to learn more about the stamps/chops myself lately. When you say "messy" are you referring to the fact that the outer border of the stamp is connected to the inner border with irregularly shaped blotches? I found a stamp like that on a 70's shui ping listed on Shin Cheng Fang's online store, and my understanding is that he's a very reliable vendor of authentic pots.
I've also read that the 6 character stamps are easier to spot repros than the 4 character stamps. I guess because there was less variation between real ones,but much more variation between real 4 character stamps? If anyone can chime in, I'd love to learn more.
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Idk about 1st one but I'm guessing the 2nd is faketory
- tingjunkie
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:39 pm
Yes, some seals are messier than others and it does depend on period (and specific pots during the period)! Like I said, I could be wrong If the second pot is a fake, it's a damn good one. I would say #2 is authentictingjunkie wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:55 pmI'm trying to learn more about the stamps/chops myself lately. When you say "messy" are you referring to the fact that the outer border of the stamp is connected to the inner border with irregularly shaped blotches? I found a stamp like that on a 70's shui ping listed on Shin Cheng Fang's online store, and my understanding is that he's a very reliable vendor of authentic pots.
I've also read that the 6 character stamps are easier to spot repros than the 4 character stamps. I guess because there was less variation between real ones,but much more variation between real 4 character stamps? If anyone can chime in, I'd love to learn more.
- tingjunkie
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:39 pm
I wish I could do a "big reveal" and say the true answers, but I'll wait for some experts to weigh in and confirm what I think. Both pot 1 and 2 feel authentic to me in person, but it doesn't mean they are. As for background, pot #1 was found in an antique shop in Kauai, Hawaii being sold as a "Soy Sauce Container" for $12. I purchased pot #2 from Hou De back in 2011 for $180, so I really hope it's authentic. Let's try some shui pings...
Pot #3: 65ml zini "Please Drink" teapot. Real or repro?:
Pot #3: 65ml zini "Please Drink" teapot. Real or repro?: