| Kangxi Yixing Teapot With Appliqué Motifs & Lion Finial (QYX111602) |
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| ca. 1700-20s, early 18th century Kangxi period, Qing dynasty Red stoneware; Yixing zisha clay Width (handle to spout): 22 cm / 8.7 in Height: 17 cm From an English private collection [SOLD] A Kangxi period Yixing zisha teapot, of a modified globe form with tapered walls bulging at 2/3 of the body, which is decorated with molded appliqué floral sprays and qilong dragons. The curving lid with a recessed edge features a detailed figural group of a foo lion and cub playing with a suspended ball. Amazingly, the ball can freely move. The pairing of two lions evokes a well-known Chinese motif called 太师少师 (taishi shaoshi), which is a reference to Zhou dynasty government positions. The Chinese character for lion, 狮 (shi), becomes a clever homonym for master, 师 (also shi). The beginnings of Yixing tea wares can be traced back to the Song dynasty, but these simple unglazed vessels would not become widely known within China until the Ming dynasty. Production is restricted strictly to the Yixing region in Jiangsu province, which contains the world’s only known source for this type of reddish to brownish stoneware clay called ‘zisha’. Prior to the Kangxi period, the Imperial court showed limited interest in these wares, preferring instead the glazed ceramics of Jingdezhen and other kilns. Zisha thus developed a Condition: In excellent antique condition |
