Teapot by Chu Kexin2

There is another teapot by Chu Kexin made under the name of Chu Kaichang, probably made in the 1950s. There have been numerous examples of such a teapot design made by him. Some were sighted in magazines while others appeared in various blog in China. Alan's Museum collected one early teapot by Chu Kaichang. There is no question of autencity as the Yixing clay used to make this teapot is clearly a type of clay mined in the early 1950s (the original purplish colour of Yixing clay). This clay has since been out of production for decades.

Chu Kaichang's early teapot

One such teapot recently appeared in an article published in a blog in China. The writer gave an account of how he witnessed his grandfather brewing tea with this teapot. He is now in his 50s and remembered at a young age that this teapot was without the cover. He made matter worse by breaking also the handle. He even boiled the teapot using some kind of disinfectant which he deeply regretted. Although he was not sure of the maker, he said that the teapot had been around in his house for many years. He showed a photo of the teapot clearly with the seal of Chu Kaichang at the back of the pot. He remarked that he liked the engravings on the teapot.

 

Chu Kaichang
 

 

Chu Kexin's teapot

Chu Kexin's original name was Chu Kaichang. He changed his name midway in his career to Chu Kexin meaning anybody honorable could be his teacher. This could also mean that he was willing to learn from anyone who has a good heart. Below is a photo of a teapot made in the early year that had the seal of Chu Kaichang.

Early teapot by Chu Kaichang



Chu Kaichang's seal

Seals of Chu Kexin

The Shiwan kiln in Guangdong

There is a famous kiln in Guangdong where clay figurines are made and sold all over the world. It is called the Shiwan 石湾 kiln and the figurines are called the Shiwan figurines. The sculptors use many legendary figures in Chinese history as their subjects and created many world renown pieces. Ancient historical figures such as Zhugeliang, Liubei and Zhangfei of the Three kingdom era, the Eight Immortals, the Ghost Catcher, etc have always been the themes of the sculptors' creation and imagination.

Alans Museum also collected many Shiwan pieces depicting the heroes of the Cultural Revolution Era.

A peasant fighter

A comrade who served in the war

Leifeng, a soldier

Dr Bethune, a Canadian doctor

Luxun, the scholar

A soldier carrying explosives

The eight immortals

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。