Accession Number
2000/1.29A&B

Title
Yixing Ware Tea Pot

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1875-1925

Medium & Support
stoneware, unglazed

Dimensions
5 1/8 in x 6 11/16 in x 4 3/4 in (13 cm x 17 cm x 12 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Stephen H. and Patricia O. Spurr from the Henry Jewett Greene Collection

Subject matter

Pottery has been produced in Yixing, situated to the west of Taihu, the Great Lake in Jiangsu Province, since the Neolithic period. The hills to the southeast of the county are endowed with rich clay deposits, and the centre of pottery-making is located around the small towns of Dingshan and Shushan, now known collectively as Dingshuzhen.

The ‘Pottery Capital’ produces dragon jars of all sizes, vessels, roof tiles, porcelains, and most important of all, the zisha  or ‘purple sand’ teapots and objects for the scholar’s table. The term ‘Yixing ware’ generally refers to the latter — teapots and vessels of rustic elegance long sought after by tea drinkers and scholars of China.

Yixing teapots have been made since the 16th century, and there has been a steady stream of known potters since the Wanli period (1573–1619). 
https://www.christies.com/features/A-guide-to-Yixing-teapots-9709-3.aspx

Physical Description
The globular teapot is modelled in the form of a pomegranate applied with fruits and nuts. It has a water-chestnut-form handle and a lotus shoot-form spout that is impressed with two seals. The cover is fashioned as a mushroom. The stoneware is of a speckled beige-brown colour.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Primary Object Type
teapot

Additional Object Classification(s)
Decorative Arts

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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