What are the "Four Avoidances and Four Seekings" for selecting a purple clay teapot?

NO.1

【Avoid the fake, seek the true】：No matter whose teapot you buy, first ensure that "it is both made by the person themselves and is one of their representative works."

NO.2

【Avoid the empty, seek the practical】：If you cannot buy or afford a representative work by a famous artist (like a "blue-chip stock"), then pay attention to the works of middle-aged artisans with high skill levels who are still in their rising phase ("potential stocks"). A step further back, focus on the works of outstanding young artisans ("original stocks").

NO.3

【Avoid copying, seek meaning】：Do not value works that simply copy or imitate others without new ideas, resulting in a thousand teapots looking the same.

NO.4

【Avoid roughness, seek refinement】：The characteristic of purple clay teapot shapes is diversity. Delicate, elegant,古朴 (simple and unsophisticated), sturdy, rugged, bright, and countless other forms—preferences vary, there is no single 'best'. However, whether the main body, attachments, transitions, and decorations of a particular shape can fully reflect its charm and character *can* be judged. The roughness or refinement of the artisan's craftsmanship is the foundation supporting this charm and character.

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