The Teapot is ultimately for use.

In recent years, the purple clay auction market has been thriving with pieces frequently selling at high prices. Many people buy purple clay pots as investments. Due to the existence of a title system, even pots that are not antiques can have room for appreciation in value.

For example, if I buy a pot made by an artisan and they are promoted to senior artisan after two years, the pot naturally increases in value. However, this has also led to an increasingly chaotic market where mass-produced pots are rampant.

Many who produce these mass-produced pots have multiple sets of their seals. Their works can be found in various styles on the market: floral, square, veined, all sorts of odd-shaped pots, and in various types of clay and craftsmanship.

If we think about it carefully, is this possible? Those who know more about purple clay understand that each artisan specializes in their craft. Aside from geniuses like Gu Jingzhou, most artisans only make the shapes they excel at.

In the mass-production circle, everyone becomes a Gu Jingzhou, capable of producing any type of pot. They claim the clay is original, but what you end up buying is purely based on luck.

A purple clay pot is a Tea utensil. Ultimately, it is meant for use! It's not bad to appreciate the titles of artisans, and there are many who earnestly make great pots. However, when enjoying a pot, one should not overly pursue titles or hope for appreciation in value. Instead, one should focus on the pot itself and the process of enjoying it.

Newcomers shouldn't skip levels when playing with pots.

As the saying goes, “You can't become fat by eating just one mouthful.” Some enthusiasts have just paid their “tuition,” still haven't figured out the nuances of practical pots, and then suddenly want to play with an old pot.

Old doesn't necessarily mean high-quality, especially given how sophisticated forgery techniques are today. It's hard for non-professionals to distinguish them. Professionalism isn't something anyone can achieve; it means having the ability to authenticate antiques.

Even old artisans who've been making pots for decades wouldn't claim they can authenticate antique pots. Often, the authentication of antique pots requires scientific methods as well, which is beyond the reach of the average person.

There's another type of enthusiast who, after buying a few pots, immediately wants to collect those made by senior artisans or masters. Without the ability to discern, they can easily fall into traps and become known as “rich fools.”

Therefore, newcomers shouldn't try to leap ahead. It's better to progress step-by-step and take steady steps.

Create a record for your pots.

Many enthusiasts see their collection grow, filling shelves with fine and precious pots. When guests come over, it's always pleasant to drink tea, chat, and admire the pots while exchanging insights on enjoying them.

However, our memories fade over time. It's difficult to remember every detail about each cherished pot, such as its origin and price.

Therefore, it's recommended to create a record for each of your cherished pots. The basic information could include the name of the pot, its capacity, the type of clay, the artisan's title, and the price. For those who wish to be more detailed, you could also include your thoughts and reviews of the pot.

Treasure every detail about each cherished pot, as they are precious memories.