06 July 2008

80's Jing-Ding Zhu Ni Shui Pin

I got this teapot about a year ago from Guang. A sad story, this is a replacement for pure zhu ni teapot that cracked – maybe I poured too hot water into it in cold room, maybe the teapot was cracked before, I don’t know. But this new one serves mi fine for more than a year now.



This teapot is quite unique amongst my teapots. It’s rather old, being at least twenty years old. Also, the knocking sound of this teapot is highest from all of my yixing proving the high quality of clay. The dark orange color, wrinkle lines and oily surface points out, that this clay is zhu ni, or it’s at least very similar to zhu ni.

The filter. I never saw a teapot with filter like this – a circle with small square connected with four diagonal dashes. The bottom seal is very artistic, too.




Certainly, this teapot has some flaws. The lid does not fit perfectly and when I fill the pot with too much water it leaks. Also, maybe because of the unique filter it pours rather slow. And the size is maybe too big for just me.

Yet, I still use it for young sheng pu-erh. I like the clay; I like the tea this pot makes. I feel somehow connected with it, just like with my other teapots I use. I like it because it’s nearly as old as I am. Well, ok, I’m older than this pot, but not too much. So when evening comes and I know, that I will drink more tea than one session of gong fu from smaller teapot can provide, I choose this one.

Teapot facts
Clay: zhu ni
Spout: quite unique multiple holed
Seals: quite unique artistic one, on bottom only
Year of making: 80's
Size: 225cc
Tea: young sheng
Use: seldom

8 comments:

Matt said...

The filter and seal are very easy on the eyes. Interesting. Artistic indeed.

Thanks for sharing this personal post. Love the photos.

Peace

Tuo Cha Tea said...

Thank you, Matt

~ Phyll said...

That's a beautifully crafted shui pin, indeed.

Salsero said...

A lovely pot indeed. Thanks for sharing it.

chachacha said...

Hi, Do you or anyone have information on the seal that is on this teapot? I also have apot with this seal and would love to get info on it's origin
I prefer if anyone would perly to my adrress at bedrteapot@att.net
thank you
Cha Cha Cha

Tuo Cha Tea said...

Hi,

I found somewhere on the internet an article once stating, that this seal was a used by some quite famous yixing producing company in 60's-80's. Unfortunately, I lost the article.

Tomasncult

Unknown said...

Hi Matt, My seal is worn and not readable. Can you send a close up of the chop mark? I have someone who can translate, for a fee, but I will send results ASAP. Thanks
Please send to bedrextra@att.net
Thanks

Tuo Cha Tea said...

More info about the seal (from houdeasianart.com)

Jing-Ding Trademark was one of the most important private yixing studios in early R.O.C. It was started by Mr. Mu Han-Wen in 1916 in the name of "Wu De-Shen Pottery Studio". Because of the popular demand for the quality yixings he produced, he established the "Jing-Ding (Jing: Golden, Ding: a three-legged ancient cooking or religious vessel) Shan Biao (Shan: Commercial, Biao: Trademark)" in 20's. Several of the heavyweight Masters like Feng Quei-Lin, Ren Gan-Ting, etc. had worked and produced for Jing-Ding Shan Biao. The owner himself Mr. Wu was also a famous calligrapher. The yixings they produced targeted the mid-to-high-end market, and became very successful.

One unique thing of Jing-Ding Shan Biao was the potter's name was always sealed to the lid and the bottom seal was always the trademark. Jing-Ding Shan Biao ceased the operation in 1939 right after the WWII started. In early 80's, their younger generations had tried to revive the trademark. But shortly they decided to do something else.