Skip to content
Yang Pengnian, also known as Erquan, with the courtesy name Dapeng, was a native of Jingxi (modern-day Yixing) during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. Some sources suggest he originally hailed from Tongxiang in Zhejiang province. However, considering historical evidence such as the ancient street in Shushan named "Yang Street" and the "Yang Family Ancestral Hall," it is reasonable to believe that the Yang family’s activities in Zisha pottery took place in the auspicious land of Shushan. Yang Pengnian became well-known for his collaboration with the literati county magistrate Chen Mansheng, producing the renowned "Mansheng Teapots." Some argue that it was Chen Mansheng’s influence that elevated Yang Pengnian’s status in the history of Zisha pottery, attributing his fame to the saying "the teapot is honored by its inscription." However, I believe Yang Pengnian’s exceptional craftsmanship, high perception, and profound cultural knowledge make him a deserving master of mid-Qing Zisha pottery.
- Mastery and Revival of Handcrafted Teapot Making
Yang Pengnian inherited and advanced the art of fully handcrafted teapot making. Among many Zisha artisans, Chen Mansheng specifically chose Yang Pengnian for his expertise in handcrafting teapots, stating, “Mr. Yang Pengnian, in teapot making, has inherited the legacy of Gongshi.” This “legacy of Gongshi” refers to the traditional method of handcrafting teapots. During the Qianlong period, teapot making often relied on molds, making the process simpler. The legacy of handcrafting from Da Bin was seldom passed down. Yang Pengnian was skilled in this method, reviving the handcrafted technique with natural elegance. This is evident in the craftsmanship of the surviving "Mansheng Teapots." Master Xu Xiutang praised the Mansheng gourd-shaped teapot for its “exquisite and refined craftsmanship, giving a sense of smoothness and roundness.” High Zhenyu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Art, commented on the Mansheng inlaid teapot: “The straight belly is elegantly polished... its contours are distinct, and it feels smooth like jade.” These reviews reflect the meticulous craftsmanship of the Mansheng teapots made by Yang Pengnian.
- A Model of Collaboration Between Artisans and Literati
Yang Pengnian’s collaboration with Chen Mansheng in creating "Mansheng Teapots" is a prime example of deep interaction and comprehensive cooperation between artisans and literati. From selecting clay materials and designing teapot styles to inscribing pot seals, Mansheng and his associates were fully involved. Pengnian accurately understood Mansheng’s design intentions and skillfully transformed flat designs into teapot models, innovating dozens of styles. This demonstrates Pengnian’s high level of perception. It is conceivable that Pengnian contributed suggestions for improvements during the production process, thus having a hand in the innovative designs of the Mansheng teapots. Additionally, Yang Pengnian collaborated with other literati such as Qiao Zhongxi and Cai Xigong, who were well-versed in calligraphy, painting, and appraisal. His ability to produce teapots that gained their approval indicates his exceptional talent. Notably, his collaboration with Zhu Jian, known for his appreciation and innovative ideas in Yixing pottery, led to Pengnian’s proficiency in embedding jade and tin on teapots. An example of this is the Yixing kiln Yang Pengnian teapot with embedded jade and tin, housed in the Forbidden City, which bears the seal marks "Made by Yang Pengnian" and "Pengnian’s Work," but lacks Zhu Jian’s seal, suggesting it might have been made independently by Yang Pengnian.
- Cultural Knowledge and Artistic Talent
Yang Pengnian, through his long-term collaboration with literati, enhanced his cultural cultivation. Besides making teapots, he was skilled in pottery carving and other crafts like bamboo and tin carving. His cultural knowledge is evident from two of his works. One is a Zisha vase modeled after an ancient Yixing artifact, inscribed with ancient script, now in the Nanjing Museum. Without a certain level of historical knowledge, such creative inspiration would be improbable. Another example is a square tray with inscribed poems in the Forbidden City’s collection. The tray’s center features a cross pattern forming a river and Luo diagram, with running script inscriptions on either side recounting an ancient legend of the Yellow Emperor. The inscription concludes with “Made by Yang Pengnian in the autumn of the Jiawu year during the Daoguang era in Yixing You Shishan Fang.” This piece reflects Pengnian’s creative thinking and confirms his profound historical knowledge and literati temperament.
In summary, Yang Pengnian revived the handcrafted teapot-making techniques of Da Bin during the mid-Qing Dynasty. Collaborating with Chen Mansheng and other literati, he created a series of innovative teapots inscribed with literary carvings. His skills in calligraphy and carving, along with his multifaceted talents, contributed significantly to the revival and development of Zisha pottery alongside Chen Mansheng. As High Zhenyu noted, “People often say Pengnian became famous because of Chen Mansheng’s inscriptions, but observing this teapot (referring to the Mansheng teapot in Tang Yun Art Museum), one can see that Yang Pengnian truly deserves his recognition as a prominent Zisha master of the Jiaqing era.”
