Antique Chinese Yixing Teapot With Enamel Phoenix & Floral Decoration, Signed, Early 20th Century

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Description

A fine antique Yixing teapot with rare overglaze enamel decoration. The cylindrical form is decorated with a lively phoenix among … Read more A fine antique Yixing teapot with rare overglaze enamel decoration. The cylindrical form is decorated with a lively phoenix among peonies, along with lotus blossoms and scrolling cloud motifs in soft famille-rose enamels. Made from the distinctive zisha (purple-sand clay) of the Yixing kilns in Jiangsu province, this piece combines the elegance of unglazed Yixing ware with the color of famille-rose porcelain. The teapot bears impressed seals: one on the base reading “Xing Yi, made in Yixing”, and another inside the lid with the apocryphal “Qixiang mark”. Dating is Republic period (circa 1900–1930). A decorative and collectible teapot, perfect for display or as a highlight in your Asian art collection and ready to enhance your home décor.

Measurements:
5.5ʺ high (to top of lid, not including handle) × 5ʺ diameter

COLLECTOR'S NOTE:
Enamel-decorated Yixing wares represent a fascinating blend of two Chinese traditions: the subtle artistry of unglazed zisha clay and the vibrant palette of porcelain enamels. Beginning in the Qing dynasty and flourishing into the Republic period, workshops in Yixing supplied these pieces to meet domestic and export demand. The motifs of phoenix and peony symbolize beauty, renewal, and prosperity, while lotus flowers evoke purity. Unlike plain zisha teapots prized for brewing, these enamelled examples were often intended for the scholar’s desk or collector’s shelf, where their colorful decoration could be admired. Today, they hold special appeal for collectors as tangible expressions of cross-media innovation in Chinese ceramic art.

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