by Jason Jia
[I:http://www.pin-up-artists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/JasonJia19.jpg]In China, a great number of tea lovers are very particular about both tea and tea ware. Naturally, some of them are very keen on purple clay teapots, which they say are the best for brewing tea. One purple clay teapot collector named Liu Tianbao can give us insight into this deep part of Chinese culture.
The Bad Buy
As a child, Liu was greatly influenced by his father's love of purple clay flowerpots. He was crazy about miniature gardens, so there were a lot of flower pots made of Yixing purple clay in their home. Liu learned the special qualities of purple clay from his father.
Over 30 years ago, there were several curio markets in China's capitol city. Following his father's footsteps, Liu started to shop around at places where various folk arts and crafts were sold, looking for valuable purple play.
It was in one of these markets that Liu made a big mistake that he would remember for the rest of his life. In southeastern Beijing lies the well-known Panjiayuan Secondhand Antique Market. A lot of dealers go there before daybreak to prepare their wares. One day, Liu bought 50 secondhand purple clay teapots. He quickly brought them home and soaked them in water, and he was almost brought to tears. The handles and spouts of each and every teapot dropped off one after another. He realized the he had been cheated, and bought nothing more than broken pots.
Gone, Then Back Again
[I:http://www.pin-up-artists.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/JasonJia20.jpg]Many years later, a purple clay teapot caught his eye at a curio market in Tianjin. He wanted to buy it, but he couldn't afford it. He had to let it go. But 10 years later, he miraculously came across the very same teapot once again at a secondhand curio market in Beijing. This time he caught the opportunity and purchased it straight away.
He concluded that this purple clay teapot was made by Pei Shimin, a master potter of Yixing in the late Qing Dynasty. It was covered with a layer of yellow glaze. The teapot, which had gone through two separate firings, was exceptionally beautiful. Nowadays, this kind of purple clay teapot can only be seen at the Forbidden City or in museums.
A Pot is Like a Son
Liu treasures his purple clay teapots to the uttermost, for he knows their intrinsic worth. One day he purchased a rare purple clay teapot from the late Qing dynasty. He felt very glad. He put the pot into his backpack with great care, and then rode away on his bike. On the way, he kept singing his favorite songs.
But all of sudden, an old man walked in front of Liu. To prevent from bumping into the old man, Liu rolled down and off his bicycle. In the blink of an eye, he gripped his teapot fast, and let his hipbone, instead of the teapot, hit the ground first. As a result, a hipbone fracture laid him up for twelve months. Whenever his friends referred to his incident, they would gasp in admiration at how Liu loves his purple clay teapots much more than his bones.
Since the first batch of damaged teapots Liu bought, more than 30 years have passed. He is very proud of his collection of purple clay teapots. He considers them his beloved sons. He is acknowledged as an outstanding purple clay teapot collector.
Liu says that each of his purple clay teapots contains its maker's originality, craftsmanship, and aesthetic standard. And as far as Liu is concerned, the teapots he collected prove his strong and unique vision.
About the Author:
Author J. Jia has studied Chinese pottery, paintings, and other art including
Chinese teapots for 20+ years. From time to time, he endorses the work of certain potters. View some quality
Yixing teapots here.
