Like other collectibles, purple Clay Teapots also have “levels,” akin to the “primary market” and “secondary market” of stocks. Depending on the cost of the work and the customer base, the quality and price can vary.
Generally, they can be divided into four levels:
Economical and Practical
Practical items are aimed at the general public for use in tea houses and ordinary households. They are characterized by simplicity, elegance, and practicality, with prices that can be settled for a few hundred yuan.
Purchasing such a Teapot is like walking into a simple but clean and tidy little restaurant with the words “affordable for the working class, good value for money” posted above the Door. As long as you're there to satisfy your hunger, you won't feel anxious. However, today's common people's aesthetic standards are rising. Practical products can also be made exquisite, gradually approaching higher standards, and those not adapting to market demands will eventually be eliminated.
Suitable for Appreciation and Use
This category usually comes from skilled craftsmen, and prices are often influenced by the author's professional title level, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan.
The craftsmanship is relatively fine, making them suitable for both use and appreciation. As daily utensils, they are considered refined and make great gifts, having value for connoisseurship and play. Placed on a tea table, they serve as decorative accents. Buying this kind of product is like how Suzhou people enjoy their tea: they appreciate its fragrance, admire its green color, and savor its subtle yet flavorful taste, and may even have special aroma-tasting cups.
Works by Renowned Artists
The next level up are works by renowned artists, who must be top-notch among their peers. These works are meticulously crafted, and most emphasize originality, especially focusing on establishing a unique style—a daring leap from craft to art.
Works by renowned artists are sought after by collectors and are the darlings of auction houses. Works by influential purple clay artisans range in price from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan, particularly those representative pieces with distinctive styles, which can often be sold for millions.
Rare Treasures for Collectors
At this level, we no longer discuss the quality of the clay, the fineness of the workmanship, or the excellence of the form; we focus solely on “character.” A person without character is questionable; an object without character is inferior. The highly-praised Gu Hu (teapot by Gu Jingzhou) has surpassed 100 million yuan, why? Its category far surpasses the ordinary, embodying cultural values, personality, and scholarly cultivation. At this point, the teapot transcends its function as a mere vessel and becomes a cultural artifact.
Gu Jingzhou's High Wall Short Monastic Hat
These works often represent the high standards of an era. From an aesthetic perspective, they act as benchmarks, giving one a sense of being on top of Mount Tai looking down upon the world. They are particularly rare, becoming the star lots in auctions. Due to their scarcity and high prices, acquiring these collectibles overturns the original, emotional nature of collecting, replaced instead by the rigor and rationality of stock traders.
Liking and needing, the former is elevated, while the latter is more “primitive.” Of course, if the main audience for purple clay teapots is the general public, then “need” seems more practical. However, from an investment standpoint, buying high-quality pieces is always a wise choice.
The appreciation potential and speed of high-quality pieces always exceed those of ordinary items. Rarity increases value, a hard truth.
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