Regarding purple clay Teapots, I have my own thoughts. Firstly, I focus on the clay, shape, craftsmanship, and charm; secondly, the character of the pot maker; and finally, their professional title. This also requires us to enhance our self-cultivation and knowledge accumulation during the process of enjoying Tea with these pots!
Purple clay teapots are gradually becoming part of everyone's life. For tea enthusiasts, their first choice for Drinking Tea is a Purple Clay Teapot. Why? Because they are practical, enjoyable, and collectible. Purple clay teapots come in various categories, and today we will mainly differentiate between what is a “commodity” and what is an “artwork”.
“Commodity teapots” are created to satisfy the market and meet the daily needs of the general public. They use decent clay, have a standard shape, and a pleasing appearance. The primary considerations for these pots are the quality of the clay and the craftsmanship. The clay is of great concern to everyone since it is used daily for brewing and drinking tea, which is why it must be pure and authentic (you can roughly distinguish this by the following points: a purple clay Teapot should look comfortable and have a natural luster; when you rub your hand over the surface of the pot, there should be no roughness or greasiness; opening the lid, there should be no smell, or only a slight earthy or kiln-burned scent, never a chemical odor); the craftsmanship involves clean details such as the spout and handle, without any sloppiness, and most importantly, good water flow, which must not be weak. Commodity teapots generally cost several hundred to a thousand dollars, they can be produced in quantity, focusing on practicality and meeting the majority of market needs.
“Artworks”, the motivation behind creating a purple clay teapot as an artwork is not necessarily for “exchange”; that is, the artist may not create it to obtain something in return. However, I do not agree with the notion that artworks are “purposeless”; throughout history, there are no examples of artworks that have been “purposeless.” Therefore, I believe that the purpose of an artwork does not necessarily have to be for exchange, but can have richer motivations.
Such purple clay teapots embody unique cultural connotations, form visually striking effects, and contain artistic life. They use refined and pure clay, exquisite craftsmanship, and beautiful appearances, all handmade. They are either based on classic shapes or carefully crafted innovations. If it is a plain pot, it has extraordinary internal strength to help form its shape; if it is a decorated pot, it displays complex and intricate craftsmanship.
When buying a purple clay teapot, do not overly pursue a high professional title. Instead, focus primarily on the “clay, shape, craftsmanship, and charm,” with the maker being considered last. Clay: Everyone knows that the material for a purple clay teapot is purple clay, so the quality of the clay determines the quality of the teapot. Shape: The design should have depth, with the spout, handle, and other parts proportionally harmonious; Craftsmanship: This refers to the spiritual essence of the design and craftsmanship. Creating a teapot not only requires hard work but also the designer's cultural background, aesthetic education, shaping experience, individual thinking, and other comprehensive abilities; Charm: This is the taste and charm of a teapot, which is the most attractive feature, otherwise, it would appear ordinary.
A teapot that satisfies these four points should then be considered alongside the maker. It is important to understand the person who made it and whether they are virtuous and skilled. A maker's “virtue” is crucial, as it is the most important proof of potential appreciation of their work. When collecting such works, one often thinks of the person upon seeing the teapot, forming a connection from the teapot to the person.
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For beginners selecting a teapot, focus on “clay” and “craftsmanship,” and choose traditional shapes that appeal to you.
For collectors selecting a teapot, consider “clay, shape, craftsmanship, charm, and the virtue of the maker.” All five points are essential, and you can think about them from these perspectives.
How does a beginner transition from “entry-level” to “collector-level”? You need to observe more, play with more pots, learn more, and gain more understanding. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message on this platform, and I will answer them one by one for all teapot enthusiasts.
