Antique Enamel Yixing Stoneware Teapot, China (1152B)

Description

Yixing stoneware pottery is one of the most popular Asian ceramics. Since the Ming Dynasty teaware and pouring vessels have been made from clay near Yixing city. The fired clay becomes very insulating allowing it to retain heat. Since it is naturally porous it absorbs oils released during brewing that “seasons” the pot’s interior improving flavor with continual use. Chinese tea connoisseurs consider Yixing teapots the best vessel for brewing and use different teapots for each kind of tea. This pot is. a small tea pot with a unique handle and spout hand crafted from unique purple and red clay for single servings This enables faster, better and more economical brewing. By the 18th century they were exported to Europe where they were routinely used in homes made in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Yixing pieces are mostly unglazed but some like this are decorated with applied brightly colored enamel glaze. Unlike Western teaware, only water is used to wash a Yixing pot. This delicate teapot has a circular loop handle, short spout, flaring rim and small flat cover  The four small loops below its rim indicate it may have been used to suspend oil or soy sauce rather than serve tea. Decorated with free hand painted colored enamels, it has six raised circular panels each with fanciful and bright floral and leaf decorations on white and yellow backgrounds. We recommend using antique pieces for decorative and collecting purposes only. This pairs well with 1152A-PAR Enameled Yixing Stoneware Teapot.