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I purchased this yixing teapot a couple of years ago at a thrift store and have been meaning to get your feedback on it. A Chinese friend who collects Asian art saw pictures of it that I took and was excited when he saw the mark. He is the one who told me it said Chen Mingyuan... but he wasn't sure of its age. It looks too nice to be so old. Does the mark indicate it was done in the style of Chen Mingyuan? There is no mark on the lid. The inside looks like it has been carved somewhat but the teapot has a light seam around the perimeter. Any help and information would be appreciated. Thank You! (The teapot measures about 7" long from end of handle to end of spout, 5.25" tall including lid, 2.5" wide.)

Yes, the seal does read Chen MingYuan, but I have a great many doubts. A Google search of Chen MingYuan pots shows a great many examples, none resembling this pot in any way. His pots are restrained elegance in the highest degree - this pot is rough hewn.

Furthermore the clay does not look right for Yi Xing. It is much too coarse.

You mentioned that the interior appeared to have been carved - Yi Xing pots are largely slab built.

The fact that the seal does actually read Chen MingYuan is not proof of origin. Many pots are in circulation with the marks similar to those of famous pot makers. But very careful analysis of the various marks shows minor discrepancies - which reveal the lie.

Better luck next time.

Thank you for your feedback. I'm not terribly disappointed as I had big doubts on this piece. Although there are "carving" marks (see new pic) inside the pot, it IS slab built as noted by the seam. I did find a lotus pot attributed to Chen MingYuan on a website (Chinaisgood dot com) but I can't seem to get to an English version of it now. It is a much more refined pot though. (see new pic). Again, I thank you for your expertise!

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