Forgive if this question has been endlessly covered before but Google
search sucks wind indexing this newsgroup (try a search on this group
for either Yixing or Zisha).

I am at the point in my tea consumption of buying some Yixing teapots.
I have purchased three from www.yixing.com (a traditional design, a
circular design, and a dragon design). These were non-ornate 200-400ml
pots in the $40 range. Each came with a nice box with the CIB import
sticker. At that price, I didn't expect a certificate of authenticity
(and didn't get one). However even with chopmarks on the pot, there is
no guarantee the teapots are really zisha or even come from Yi Xing.
But I am satisfied with the purchase and one pot is used with pu-erh
and another with oolongs.

I quickly discovered important variations which will make me more
discerning about future purchases (internal strainer, large enough
pouring hole in the spout, teapot volume, properly fitting lid). Which
brings the questions.

What is the usual price range for similar but "common" Yixing teapots?
With emphasis on producing better tea than for collectability or
resale, how much does price affect the taste of the brewed tea? What
companies enjoy a reputation for their common wares and for their more
ornate wares? (And why do so many company omit the capacity of the
teapot in their description?) Any other issues of which I should know?

Thanks!

cdv

You need to find a well stocked Chinatown and do some comparison
shopping. My last couple of purchases have been from porcelain
shoppes. I bought what I call Have Yixing Will Travel gongfu set with
all the seals and paperwork. I bought some yixing mugs when touched by
the lips produced a tactile sensation which is one of my criteria for
yixing. Dont forget the ping. You should be able to turn the lid like
it is floating on liquid bearings. It has to look good enough to
eat. What youll see in Chinatown gongfu sessions is the pot held
vertical without the lid falling out. My local Chinese tea shoppe
sells one of these for about $100. I know someone in Taiwan who buys
antique yixing from the 80s and before. From what I know the
desirable yixing was depleted in the early 90s. There is enough
antique yixing around so who knows what we buy today will be worth
tomorrow. I dont think anything can beat yixing form and function. I
like simple and elegant. I dont like motifs. I dont use yixing on a
daily basis because I find gongfu impractical. From what I see you
have a base from which to build on your yixing collection.

Jim

PS I dont know the purpose of the Chinese Inspection Bureau. Maybe
to make sure antiques arent being exported.

On Aug 25, 11:30 pm, Chris DeVoney > wrote:
> Forgive if this question has been endlessly covered before but Google
> search sucks wind indexing this newsgroup (try a search on this group
> for either Yixing or Zisha).
>
> I am at the point in my tea consumption of buying some Yixing teapots.
> I have purchased three fromwww.yixing.com(a traditional design, a
> circular design, and a dragon design). These were non-ornate 200-400ml
> pots in the $40 range. Each came with a nice box with the CIB import
> sticker. At that price, I didn't expect a certificate of authenticity
> (and didn't get one). However even with chopmarks on the pot, there is
> no guarantee the teapots are really zisha or even come from Yi Xing.
> But I am satisfied with the purchase and one pot is used with pu-erh
> and another with oolongs.
>
> I quickly discovered important variations which will make me more
> discerning about future purchases (internal strainer, large enough
> pouring hole in the spout, teapot volume, properly fitting lid). Which
> brings the questions.
>
> What is the usual price range for similar but "common" Yixing teapots?
> With emphasis on producing better tea than for collectability or
> resale, how much does price affect the taste of the brewed tea? What
> companies enjoy a reputation for their common wares and for their more
> ornate wares? (And why do so many company omit the capacity of the
> teapot in their description?) Any other issues of which I should know?
>
> Thanks!
>
> cdv

On Aug 26, 1:30*am, Chris DeVoney > wrote:
> Forgive if this question has been endlessly covered before but Google
> search sucks wind indexing this newsgroup (try a search on this group
> for either Yixing or Zisha).
>
> I am at the point in my tea consumption of buying some Yixing teapots.
> I have purchased three fromwww.yixing.com(a traditional design, a
> circular design, and a dragon design). These were non-ornate 200-400ml
> pots in the $40 range. Each came with a nice box with the CIB import
> sticker. At that price, I didn't expect a certificate of authenticity
> (and didn't get one). However even with chopmarks on the pot, there is
> no guarantee the teapots are really zisha or even come from Yi Xing.
> But I am satisfied with the purchase and one pot is used with pu-erh
> and another with oolongs.
>
> I quickly discovered important variations which will make me more
> discerning about future purchases (internal strainer, large enough
> pouring hole in the spout, teapot volume, properly fitting lid). Which
> brings the questions.
>
> What is the usual price range for similar but "common" Yixing teapots?
> With emphasis on producing better tea than for collectability or
> resale, how much does price affect the taste of the brewed tea? What
> companies enjoy a reputation for their common wares and for their more
> ornate wares? (And why do so many company omit the capacity of the
> teapot in their description?) Any other issues of which I should know?
>
> Thanks!
>
> cdv

My best suggestion is to purchase one from Stephane Erler. His
offerings are generally far better than what is easily available and
his prices are very reasonable. I have been selectively collecting
Yixing since the mid 90s and the quality is totally gone (in America)
outside of very high-priced antiques or new creations from a handful
of skilled artists.

The best advice I can give is to not go for quantity. There's no race
and no prize. Notice I didn't say quality not quantity, just not
quantity. Quality is subjective and I have a few pieces that are not
of any noteworthy quality but are very meaningful and work perfectly.
I also have a couple of decent to high quality and they are great and
have their place.

They require care and they also require almost a relationship to
become special and important, there is just no way to spread the love
amongst a bunch of them. Unless they are just destined to become
ornaments, then go whichever way you want... preferably the cheapest
ones and leave the good stuff for those who use them. Take your time,
examine what it is you like and don't like about each of what you
have. Choose the type of tea, the manner of brewing, the type and
number of cups you plan to use, and then focus on finding the piece
that fits that all perfectly.

My 2g worth,
- Dominic