|
Chinese early Republican period (circa 1930) Yixing pottery teapot designed to simulate a gnarled tree trunk with branches for the handle and spout. A simple, incised grass pattern decorates the front beside a large detailed knot. A square seal is on the center of the base and a small, raised, unreadable round seal is off to one side (see enlargement 9). The interior pouring hole has 10 small holes which act as a strainer. This teapot measures about 8 1/2" in length from the handle to the spout and 4 1/2" high to the top of the lid. It is in very good overall condition with a nice aged patina from years of use. There is a tiny chip to the spout (see enlargement 12). This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s. This teapot is very similar to a tree trunk shaped teapot illustrated on plate 268, page 207, of "K.S. Lo Collection in the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea, Part 2," Hong Kong, 1984. The K.S. Lo teapot, dated circa 1930, is attributed to the Pingding Pottery Company, Shanxi Province. The seal on our example appears to match this name.
|
