Chu Kexin's (朱可心) teapot

Chu Kexin (1904-1906) , original name Chu Kaichang, a talented Yixing potter who started making teapots in the early 40s.  He was instrumental in the setting up of the Yixing factory in the 50s and involving in training the next generation of Yixing potters most of them are either senior craftsmasters or national grand masters in today's pottery circle in China.

He left behind many famous works such as fish turning dragon, Spring Arrival (报春壶)and Cloud Dragon Din (云龙鼎). He was among the Pioneer Seven of Zisha in the early Yixing history alongside the legendary Gu Zingzhou. His teapots are well admired by collectors all over the Asia pacific region.

Alans Museum has in its possession an early work of Chu Kexin. The teapot has an inscription of Chu Kaichang at its back. It was probably made in the 50s mde with the original purplish clay from Yixing.



Chu Kexin's early work

朱可心（1904-1986）,原名开张、凯长，宜兴紫砂名艺人，花货巨匠，一代宗师。生于宜兴蜀山31年受聘于宜兴陶瓷职业学校任技师、工场教员，作品"云龙鼎"获美国芝加哥博览会"特级优奖。56年被江苏省政府任命为技术辅导，先后授艺带徒数十人，名艺人有汪寅仙、李碧芳、潘春芳、许成权、范洪泉、谢曼伦、曹婉芬、王小龙、高丽君、史志鹏、倪顺生、李芹仙等。朱可心是现代紫砂史上德艺双馨的杰出人物，是大家公认的紫砂花货一代宗师。朱可心是近代紫砂历史最重要的一位人物，获得多项第一。第一个夺取了国际大奖：1932年朱可心作品《云龙鼎》获百年一度的美国芝加哥博览会"特级优奖".第一个在新中国成立后的1953年"全国美术工艺观摩大会上获得国内大奖。朱可心是第一个进入高等美术院校进修的紫砂艺人。1954年参加中央美术学院华东分院"民间美术工艺研究班",系统学习了有关工艺美术理论。第一个参与企业管理。1954年合作化后，即担任副主任负责技术管理。第一个开发设计了一种造型多种装饰的系列产品，满足了人们的需要。