Yixing

[Bok]

@lopin Well, the fb group indeed confirmed that it is a fake… sorry you have another one for the tuition fee jar! Proves again that if there is a a reasonable amount of doubtful details, those mostly outweigh the few others that look right. Just lucky you did not pay much, normally a fake 60s will set you back a couple of hundreds if not spotted.

@Jacquesbine40 can’t say much about this pot, those newer Yixing do not mean much to me and too much variations to be sure of anything. Sorry!

[Chadrinkincat]

Odd timing that this Indonesian pot popped up for sale while this seal is being discussed.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 4037042606

[DailyTX]

It seems this thread has so much action today, what you guys think about those pots? Factory made?

[Bok]

Odd timing that this Indonesian pot popped up for sale while this seal is being discussed.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 4037042606

Indeed. Somehow I find these pots charming in a way.

Very clear from the pictures of this one that they are either wheel thrown or coated like a Neizhiwaihong (see details of bottom side).

[Bok]

It seems this thread has so much action today, what you guys think about those pots? Factory made?

For sure made in some sort of factory

Joke aside, in any case past 80-something. Shape seems vaguely familiar, maybe leaf through the old factory catalogues (posted somewhere recently) and see if it is among them.

[Chadrinkincat]

@lopin

Good to hear this pot didn’t set you back too much. Not a total waste as long as you learn something from these two replicas. If your planing to buy pots online you should spend some time doing side by side photo comparison of real vs. fake. Doing this has helped me avoid ending up with lots of confirmed fakes that might discourage me from collecting yixing.

[Chadrinkincat]

@DailyTX

Doesn’t look right to me. The way the lid curves up seem more of an F2 thing.

I could be wrong but I believe this is correct shape for this pot.

[DailyTX]

DailyTX

Doesn’t look right to me. The way the lid curves up seem more of an F2 thing.

I could be wrong but I believe this is correct shape for this pot.

Those pots are a lot flatter than the one shown. The lid is lose fit. Sprout and handle are not totally lined up. Seller and I both think it’s either 80s or 90s.

[Chadrinkincat]

@DailyTX

A flatter more pancake pot like this doesn’t appear in the F1 and F2 catalogs I’ve seen. Another random 90’s factory might be more likely.

[DailyTX]

DailyTX

A flatter more pancake pot like this doesn’t appear in the F1 and F2 catalogs I’ve seen. Another random 90’s factory might be more likely.

That’s good info to rule out F1 and F2. Those pots have a very interesting craftsmanship. A top flat piece and a bottom piece are molded individually and then melted together with soft clay.

[lopin]

lopin

Good to hear this pot didn’t set you back too much. Not a total waste as long as you learn something from these two replicas. If your planing to buy pots online you should spend some time doing side by side photo comparison of real vs. fake. Doing this has helped me avoid ending up with lots of confirmed fakes that might discourage me from collecting yixing.

Yep:)
But i think it is still safe to use? I mean it is not 60ties but some kind of hongni? Or would you just not use it? I am not plannning to pay hundreds for original:)

[Bok]

But i think it is still safe to use? I mean it is not 60ties but some kind of hongni? Or would you just not use it? I am not plannning to pay hundreds for original:)

The problem is that if someone decided to intentionally fake a vintage item, they will make sure to use the cheapest way possible for maximum profit... real Hongni is although not rare, still by far not as available anymore as Zini is. Furthermore, in order to achieve the right colour, something might have been added. So it is much less sure to be safe than an "honest" modern pot. Glossiness is never a good sign, usually means additives.

In the end, the price is relative. If you add up all the fakes you'll acquire over a period of time, you can already get one real one easily

[Youzi]

lopin

Good to hear this pot didn’t set you back too much. Not a total waste as long as you learn something from these two replicas. If your planing to buy pots online you should spend some time doing side by side photo comparison of real vs. fake. Doing this has helped me avoid ending up with lots of confirmed fakes that might discourage me from collecting yixing.

Yep:)
But i think it is still safe to use? I mean it is not 60ties but some kind of hongni? Or would you just not use it? I am not plannning to pay hundreds for original:)

Seems fine to me to use. Initial Glossyness comes from the addition of Glass Water, which is sodium metasilicate? I guess. It makes the clay more dense, heavier and as a result will have a high ring tone. It also decreases the required temperature.

Another additive us iron red powder, Fe2O3 I think. There's nothing wrong with that one, it's the same element which is naturally in the clay.

Another additive is Barium Carbonate, which is in teapots since the 80s. (yes f1 too). If not used in too large amounts and the teapot is properly fired, not under fired, then this shouldn't be a problem neither.

The problem comes from the mix of these. And especially acid cleaning of teapots, which is also in use for a long time.

To make sure the clay is good and natural, and properly fired, it should have "faults". Black iron spots, small sand sized holes, the teapot, the sound shouldn't be too dump (but it's difficult to judge and unreliable) check M&L's article for picture to see how these signs look like.

[Baisao]

I use high proof ethanol (Everclear or Mohawk) to remove wax, usually a short soak and wipe it away, rinse and repeat.

[Victoria]

The problem comes from the mix of these. And especially acid cleaning of teapots, which is also in use for a long time.

Very good information to know @Youzi. Curious what kind of acid wash and why was it used?