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In recent years, as the collectible and utilitarian value of Yixing teapots has gained recognition, their auction prices have soared. In this section, we’ll introduce to you some unforgettable Yixing teapots from auction history. While the auction price does not entirely determine a teapot's worth, it often reflects its value. Let's appreciate these [most expensive Yixing square teapots] to enhance our aesthetic taste and appreciation skills.
Chen Mingyuan’s "Chuanxiang" Teapot
At the Poly-Huayi Autumn Auction in 2016, Chen Mingyuan’s "Chuanxiang" teapot fetched 34.5 million RMB, setting a new auction record for his works and becoming the most expensive Yixing square teapot in the world.
Why is it so valuable?
Traceable Provenance
Collectors are always concerned about the authenticity of a teapot, and dating and identifying Yixing teapots have always been challenging. A teapot with a traceable and verifiable provenance is highly valued at auctions.
This teapot has a well-documented history, first recorded in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China by the renowned collector Xiang Jihan. Xiang left rubbings of his Yixing teapots in the collection " The Pottery Silhouette Collection," which includes this "Chuanxiang" teapot. Later, this teapot made its way to Taiwan and was exhibited at the National Museum of History in the "Ming and Qing Yixing Teapot Exhibition" in 1989.
Subsequently, it was owned by the prominent Taiwanese collector Mr. Wang Du and the Wantai Bank. It is featured in the exhibition catalogs published by the National Museum of History and the Yixing teapot catalog by Wang Du.
Chen Mingyuan created four square teapots, with "Chuanxiang" being one of them. The other three feature designs such as "square with bulging belly" or "square with rounded corners," all solid and heavy, embodying roundness within square forms, inheriting the late Ming Yixing teapot style. The "Chuanxiang" teapot, however, is square-shaped with a simple design, broad at the top and narrow at the bottom, elegant and upright.
The teapot body, lid, knob, spout, handle, and feet all feature concave lines at the corners. The curved line of the short-bent spout is skillfully and smoothly executed, perfectly complementing the square handle, creating a harmonious dialogue between round and square shapes.
The "Chuanxiang" teapot is neither perfectly round nor perfectly square, created by Chen Mingyuan during his artistic peak, blending ancient and modern elements into a unique square teapot. It stands as a masterpiece that showcases his personal style. Chen Mingyuan pioneered the decoration of teapots with inscribed poems and the use of both engraving and seals for signatures, combining traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy with Yixing teapot craftsmanship, marking a significant era. This is vividly demonstrated in this teapot.
In the history of Yixing teapots, Chen Mingyuan is recognized as a master craftsman with comprehensive skills, proficient in creating various Yixing items. He inherited the essence of the Ming Dynasty, continuing the orthodox position of Gong Chun and Shi Dabin, and initiated new trends in the Qing Dynasty, with a far-reaching influence.
Chen Mingyuan’s surviving teapots are already rare, with square teapots being even scarcer. The "Chuanxiang" teapot stands out in terms of craftsmanship, shape, and cultural significance. Its auction price of 34.5 million RMB is well-deserved!
