WOW!! A lovely looking 1960s teapot!

A quick check on the available reference book would yield the information of the pot as follows:

一九六○年代鴿嘴壺

印款 : 荊溪惠孟臣製

杯數 : 十二杯

泥料 : 紅泥

Generally, it says that this style of teapot is a 1960s Pigeon Beak teapot, 12 cup size, Hui Mengchen seal and done in Hong Ni or red clay.

This style of teapot is rare and sought after by many teapot collectors. There are a few variations of this style spanning from 60s to 90s to even present day in different seals and filter holes.

A red clay pigeon beak style teapot with 18 filter holes is the earlier variation done in the 1960s. The puffed lid cover is also an indication of the teapot of that era.

Teapot collectors of various level of expertise generally also rely on this information; plus looking at the color of the clay, smelling the pot for chemical smell to draw the conclusion of the pot.  This beautiful teapot seems to pass many of the above attributes to conclude that it is the teapot of that era.

Lovely, isn’t it?

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Unfortunately, this is a newly produced teapot.  A pseudo-1960s teapot. The level of detailing to emulate the pot of that era is quite astonishing. The real piece will have very slight differences on the details above.

Many would agree that a beginner or intermediate collector may not pick up all the above deviations.  Experts rely on more intricate details and closely guarded tips to authenticate teapot but still many of them got it wrong too often. It is an endless learning process.

It is OK to pay a pittance for this pot for decoration or as a small planting pot. Some collectors may pay high price and buy this as a real 1960s pot and use it as a teapot to brew tea.

A good advice from a friend who is an expert on teapot is “Study more and buy less”.

My favorite advice is “Buy what we know and understand. Don’t just buy what we like”.