Auction houses see Zisha Teapots sold for millions, deterring many ordinary people. Is Zisha collecting just a game for the rich?

You might be overthinking it…

While making teapots is an art, most of us buy them for practical use!

So, as an ordinary person, how can you enjoy a Zisha Teapot?

Get a Basic Understanding

If this is your first encounter with Zisha teapots and you haven't established your own aesthetic system yet, you should start by learning how to inspect the basic craftsmanship of a teapot.

Before buying a teapot, consider purchasing 2-3 practical books on Zisha to read carefully.

Books usually introduce the basics of Zisha, reference standards, aesthetic criteria, and appraisals. Read widely, listen attentively, and ask questions.

For things you don't understand, seek advice from experienced friends.

Once you have a basic understanding of Zisha, you can then find purchase targets based on your financial capability and plan.

Clarify Your Purpose

When buying a teapot, clarify your purpose. Are you buying it for Tea drinking and personal cultivation, or for collection or investment? This is important.

If it's for personal Tea drinking, you'll have higher requirements for the teapot's tea compatibility and practicality.

Conditions like good clay, sufficient firing temperature, and strong practicality are essential.

If you're buying for collection or investment, consider other factors:

Such as the maker's reputation, the style of the work, the completion date, and whether it's part of a series.

Start from the essence of the teapot; investments may not yield profits immediately, so don't fear paying more, but do avoid mistakes.

The Maker's Background

Famous makers may be out of reach for ordinary enthusiasts, but young artists who are still climbing in fame, not too well-known, not highly titled, yet skilled, have great potential.

Or middle-aged artists who have been working for decades, accumulating significant skill and experience and with some reputation, their works are definitely worth considering.

Masters grow from apprentices; today's “young artists” could become tomorrow's “masters.”

Powerful Zisha artists with solid creative capabilities, public recognition, and growth potential are promising “blue chip” investments.

The value of any artwork ultimately rests with the artist. Choosing such “blue chip” artists ensures safe collection.

Clay and Craftsmanship

The quality of a teapot depends on its clay and craftsmanship. Good Zisha teapots are fundamentally guaranteed by both.

Only teapots made from original, authentic Yixing zisha clay possess practical, artistic, aesthetic, and collectible functions.

Besides clay, the craftsmanship is also crucial, from the body proportion, component connections, and detail processing, to the spout water flow, handle grip, and lid fit, all showcasing the artist's skills.

A good Zisha artist would never compromise their skills with inferior clay nor mishandle high-quality clay.

Good craftsmanship and quality clay go hand in hand. Zisha teapots with excellent clay and craftsmanship have greater collectible value.

Usage

It's well known that Zisha teapots require nurturing.

The purpose of nurturing is to enhance the teapot's ability to “retain flavor and develop aroma” and to make the surface patina (also called “baojiang”) gradually appear, becoming brighter with use, showing a refined taste.

Even with a superb teapot, if it isn't regularly steeped in tea, it will be wasted.

Similarly, even an unknown Zisha teapot, when nurtured beautifully, can increase in value.

Zisha teapots come alive through nurturing. Nurturing is an important aspect of collecting; collectors who only store and don't nurture aren't true collectors.

In summary, with the right approach, ordinary people can also enjoy Zisha teapots!