VTG Chinese YIXING Zisha Teapot Purple Clay Squirrels Branches Flowers Handmade

Description

VTG Chinese YIXING Zisha Teapot Purple Clay Squirrels Branches Flowers Handmade.
This is a beautifully hand formed, vintage, Chinese Yixing Zisha, purple clay teapot, decorated with squirrels, grapes, leaves and branches in high relief and in colorful yellows, teal and fushia. The handle and spout, also in teal, were designed to simulate tree boughs. The lid fits like a puzzle piece, with only one way of aligning it perfectly with the pot. This piece is in very good, pre owned condition. There is one repair to the lid's handle and a small flaked chip on the bottom of the teapot’s rim. There is also micro-crazing of the glazed parts. That aside, there are no other issues. The teapot has been gently cleaned with water only. Please see all photos for more detail on its condition and craftsmanship. There is an impressed stamp on the inside of the lid and the base is stamped with a 6 character seal.
Measurements: 5"H (to top of handle) 7 1/4"W x3 1/2"D
Weight: 1 lb
Yixing, near Shanghai in China’s Jiangsu province, has a long history as the “Pottery Capital” of China. When tea is brewed in these handmade teapots, made from the “Zisha” (purple sand) clay of that region, a tiny amount of tea is absorbed in the interior and with continued use, each layer of tea sediment/oils are intended to build up and smooth the taste of the tea and improve it by adding its own unique taste from the accumulated oils. The “Zisha” clay and the snugly fitting lid conserves heat within the teapot, further improving the brewing process. Potters of Yixing have traditionally signed their works with their personal “chop marks”. This practice reflects the potter’s great pride of workmanship and provides collectors with the satisfaction of attributing work according to potter and time period.
Caring for your Yixing teapot: Wash the teapot using only hot water. Never use soaps or detergents as the porous clay will absorb these flavors. Don't use metal utensils or other abrasive metals on the yixing pot as these can cause scratches. Store the teapot upside down with the lid off to prevent buildup of moisture or mold.
*As these are vintage/antique items, some may have condition issues due to age, handling, etc. I am not an expert. I try my utmost to give an accurate representation of the item. Occasionally, I may miss something (age, condition, materials). I strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Please contact me with any questions or requests for additional photos prior to purchase. IF YOU ARE NOT 100% SATISFIED UPON DELIVERY, THE ITEM CAN BE RETURNED, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE.
**All items are sourced from antique shops, thrift shops, estate and tag sales, auctions, and friends and family. When the provenance of an item is known, it will always be mentioned. Each piece is thoroughly inspected and rated from excellent pre owned condition (no wear visible) to good pre owned condition (some obvious wear). Each piece is cleaned/dusted as appropriate (always leaving any natural patina on surface).