Teapot - Clay

A fine and rare Chinese Yixing teapot in unglazed stoneware, dating from the 18th century (Qing dynasty).
This model was specifically made for the early European export market, and comparable pieces can be seen in prominent museum collections, including the Hermitage State Museum in Saint Petersburg.
The teapot is executed in sandy-colored clay and decorated with delicate, raised-relief depictions of blooming plum branches, in red, green and gray tones.
The edges of the pot, the lid and the spout are adorned with a continuous, hand-stamped meander band.
The pot is equipped with a clean, square bracket handle.

Interior: Equipped with an authentic early single-hole at the spout junction and clearly visible, manually applied mounting seams in the corners (plattenmethode).
Base: Completely flat and unobtrusive, fully in keeping with the early 18th-century production standard for the export market.
Dimensions: 12 x 13 x 7.5 cm (incl. spout and handle)
Weight: 312 g

Condition report:
The teapot is in a reasonable, authentic antique condition with clear signs of age and use. Note: The spout has previously broken and undergone an old glue restoration; a clear glue seam is visible near the base of the spout. There is also a small chip at the tip of the spout.
The lid has two small, old and lightly worn chips: one on the inner side of the rim and one at the corner. Furthermore, there are no hairlines or additional restorations to the body or the handle.