Teapots by Fan Zaoda

In 2012, a set of 4 Yixing teapots was auctioned in China for 230000 Yuan. These teapots were the results of a collaboration of 3 parties, a famous potter by the name of Fan Zoada 范早大, a famous painter by the name Tangyun 唐云 and a famous engraver 沈觉初. The teapots were made in the shape of a cylinder, that of a well. The teapots were decorated with paintings of Mei, Lan, Zue and Zu, the four seasons plants and flowers known in the circle of oriental art as the Four Gentlemen (四君子). The price tag is indeed the highest for this potter. The reason could be due to the fame of the painter whose paintings are highly sough after by art collectors in the auction market. (See below for the news regarding this sale).

Set of 4 teapots by Fan Zaoda auctioned for 230000 Yuans
 

Alans Museum has another teapot by Fan Zaoda made in the 1980s when the potter is relatively unknown in Yixing. It makes sense to collect teapots by makers when they are still relatively unknown and have the potential to become famous potters one day.

Early teapot by Fan Zaoda

2012年9月9日下午3：00，荣宝斋(微博)(上海)首届四季拍卖古董珍玩专场在上海四季大酒店举槌。范早大制唐云绘沈觉初刻四君子图紫砂壶以7.8万起拍，最终以23万的价格成交。此拍品之前估价为RMB 88,000-98,000 -，尺寸为长18.5cm×4。
　　

范早大制唐云绘沈觉初刻四君子图紫砂壶一组
说明：四把壶身分别为唐云绘梅兰竹菊四君子图，沈觉初刻，范早大制作。壶底印为“范早大”。
器型端庄古朴，线条流畅，刻工精到，为近现代名家连手佳制。附唐云题字拓片一本。