When collecting purple clay Teapots, it's important to focus on selecting high-quality and authentic pieces while keeping an eye on market trends. Teapots crafted by renowned artists are often highly collectible, especially those made by masters whose works tend to appreciate steadily in value. In contrast, the vast majority of teapots sold at street markets are either fakes or poorly made, and therefore have little to no collectible value.

To collect purple clay teapots successfully, one must improve their appreciation skills and avoid common pitfalls. Here are some typical misconceptions about collecting these teapots:

NO.1 Buying Based Solely on the Maker's Mark

The “mark” refers to the signature of a famous maker. A well-known artist represents a standard of craftsmanship in contemporary purple clay teapots, and collectors naturally seek out such works. However, this is a double-edged sword. The prevalence of imitations in the market is due to the extreme desire for named artists' works combined with many collectors' lack of understanding of basic criteria for evaluating teapots, which inadvertently fuels the market for fakes.

Many teapots in the market bear the mark of Master Gu Jingzhou. If collectors start by carefully examining the clay and craftsmanship, they wouldn't need to focus on the “mark.” Instead, they could quickly determine the authenticity of the piece. Collectors should not solely focus on “top-tier” masters like Gu Jingzhou or Jiang Rong but should also consider promising mid-career and young artists, as future masters will likely emerge from among them.

Therefore, when buying a Teapot, the first thing to look at is the clay and shape, rather than the mark on the bottom. Some imitations may have good craftsmanship and clay quality and can still be valuable. Focusing too much on the mark can easily lead to being deceived, as many people mistakenly assume that a pot bearing a master's mark is genuinely theirs, thus falling into pricing traps.

NO.2 Overemphasizing Flashy and Colorful Designs

New collectors often favor teapots with diverse colors and complex shapes or those adorned with extensive inscriptions, assuming that calligraphy adds value to the pot. This is misleading.

Truly great works are often understated and elegant, much like a beautiful woman who needs only light makeup. If embellishment is desired, it should be done tastefully and in moderation. For collectors who prioritize flashy and colorful designs, unscrupulous producers sometimes add chemicals to the clay to produce dyed purple clay teapots. These teapots may look vibrant, but they emit an odd smell when used for brewing Tea. Dyed purple clay teapots are unsuitable for tea brewing and generally have low value.

NO.3 Buying Without Clear Purpose

Before purchasing a teapot, it's important to have a clear purpose. Are you looking for a functional everyday teapot or a collectible piece? Do you plan to use it for brewing Pu'er tea, Tieguanyin, or another type?

Functional teapots typically range around 250cc in size, while collectible pieces are usually larger than 250cc.

For brewing Pu'er tea, the teapot should have a larger body and a darker clay color, ideally between 250cc and 300cc. For Tieguanyin, the teapot should have a faster pour, thinner walls, a lower profile, and lighter clay color, ideally ranging between 150cc and 250cc. Locals in Yixing prefer large teapots (250cc to 350cc) for drinking local Black Tea.

Teapots larger than 350cc are primarily decorative and less practical for daily use.

NO.4 Focusing Only on Certificates Rather Than Artistry

A truly great artist's teapot can be recognized simply by its “essence, spirit, and vitality.” If a so-called “master's” work appears lifeless or proportionally off, it lacks collectible value, and the title might even be fraudulent and unverifiable online.

Avoid teapots by artists known for mass production. A true master is typically humble and produces a limited number of works. There are many skilled artisans in Yixing's Dingshu Town who remain unknown, eschewing fame and attention.

NO.5 Focusing Only on Age Rather Than Artistry

Some collectors believe that older teapots are always better and seek out antique or vintage pieces, leading to widespread counterfeiting in the market.

There are two common methods of faking age: one involves treating the surface of the clay to give it a worn appearance, using techniques like applying shoe polish to mimic the patina of frequent handling, or using strong acids to create an aged effect. Another method is to coat the teapot with white cement and then soak it in water to simulate an unearthed artifact.

The key criterion for assessing the collectible value of a purple clay teapot is its artistic merit, not necessarily its age. Collecting teapots requires avoiding the temptation to buy cheaply, and beginners should focus on their budget and what they can realistically afford rather than seeking out works by established artists.