Teapots made to look old with shoe polish
What is making a new Teapot look old?
Making a new teapot look old refers to the process of treating a new Yixing clay teapot so that it appears as an old one, which can then be sold at the price of an “old teapot.” No matter what method is used to make a new teapot look old, it can usually be identified with careful examination.
In the Yixing clay teapot industry, teapots made before 1949 are generally considered old, while those made after 1949 are called new. Making a new teapot look old is similar to doing the same with Porcelain or jade, capitalizing on the Chinese preference for antiquity and ancient objects.
Teapots made to look old with shoe polish
In terms of texture, most new teapots do indeed lack the translucency of older ones. Old teapots tend to appear fine, smooth, and gentle, whereas new ones are rough and dry. The reason for this is that the quartz molecules and iron elements in the clay undergo changes during repeated exposure to hot and cold water. Additionally, the frequent handling by the owner during Tea drinking gradually makes the surface of the teapot more lustrous and glossy, often acquiring a fine patina. Therefore, some collectors would purchase a good teapot and pay others to “polish” it for a few years until it developed an antique appearance before storing it.
Therefore, many in the field of collecting Yixing clay teapots prefer to buy old or vintage teapots. Fakers take advantage of this by making new Yixing clay teapots look old through various means and passing them off as old teapots to make a profit.
Teapots made to look old with shoe polish
Yixing clay teapots, from their flourishing in the Ming Dynasty to the present day, have gone through hundreds of years. Their cultural significance and unique handcrafting artistry are increasingly recognized by collectors, and teapots made by famous artisans are highly sought after. As the market has rebounded from its lowest point, fakes and imitations have emerged, including new teapots with old marks, old teapots with altered marks, and even the use of computer-assisted sand casting techniques. How do these fake old teapots deceive consumers? Let's look at some common methods of making new teapots look old:
There are generally three methods to make a new teapot look old:
Marking new teapots with old marks, old teapots with marks of famous artists, and creating a patina.
New teapots marked with old marks: A new teapot is altered to bear the mark of a famous artist from the Ming Dynasty such as Xu Shiheng, Yuanchang, or Ouzhengchun, or a famous Qing Dynasty artist like Chen Hongshou or Chen Mingyuan. Sometimes, these marks are applied directly to the teapot before firing.
▲Faked and made to look old, marked Shi Dabin
Altering marks on old teapots: An old teapot without a mark or with a non-famous mark is altered to bear the mark of a previous famous artist. This method requires higher craftsmanship, and the forgers generally aim for greater refinement, making the deception more convincing. The teapot is old, but the mark is new.
▲So thick with shoe polish, marked Gu Jingzhou
Creating artificial patina: Any antique teapot will develop a smooth and shiny surface due to prolonged use, known as patina. To make a new teapot appear to have this patina, forgers typically rub the surface with shoe polish or use strong acids to create an aged appearance. Some even coat the teapot with white cement and soak it in water to mimic unearthed artifacts.
For those who collect old Yixing clay teapots, my advice is to be cautious and not collect unless you are already an expert in Yixing clay teapots or have a very trustworthy source. In this case, the caution can be relaxed.
01. There really aren't that many genuine old teapots in existence.
Because Yixing clay teapots only truly entered the ranks of items collected by ordinary people in the past 20 years, they were previously just everyday teapots for brewing tea. Few people took them seriously, and many teapots were discarded or thrown away when the user passed away. Consequently, there are not many teapots that have been carefully preserved and passed down, making it unlikely that large numbers of old teapots would be circulating in various markets.
02. Some old teapots have poor craftsmanship.
Regarding the craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal of Yixing clay teapots, the level of craftsmanship and beauty of most old teapots is inferior to that of teapots made today. For example, many old teapots have not been properly finished, and their lids tend to wobble. Many old teapots simply do not have any value or necessity for collection, being nothing more than crude daily utensils with rough workmanship.
▲Very dirty, poor workmanship, no value for collection
03. Many old teapots are no longer suitable for use.
Many old teapots are extremely dirty, and you don't know who might have used them or whether they were ever buried in the ground or in a tomb.
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