Starry Starry Teapot

Although the technique for creating this clay with coarse sand particles was a Ming Dynasty creation (1368-1644 AD), the owner dates this teapot to the mid-Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD). The artist's intention of reflecting the stars in the sky in the clay of the teapot lends this style its industry term of "sky full of stars"(满天星). After all, what is art without a touch of romanticism. The multicolored clay (五色泥) is a type of old clay that is no longer found in mountains surrounding the famed home of purple clay, Yixing (宜兴), indicating that this is not a recent creation. Granted, I have known people who collected old clay decades ago and commissioned artists to create teapots in more recent years, but looking at craftsmanship alone, it's not difficult to separate from actual antiques.

On a quick final note, I draw your attention to the staggeringly beautiful calligraphy and exceptional carving skill. The average person writing calligraphy on parchment does not come close to that found on the body of the teapot.

“There is a saying, “壶随字贵，字随壶传.” A teapot’s value is dictated by the words; the words depend on the teapot to be passed on”