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China Guardian 2024 Spring Auction – The “Elite of Purple Clay: Antique and Modern Zisha Treasures” session concluded with a remarkable success. The auction achieved a 94% sell-through rate, with the highest bid for the event going to Shao Daheng's “Fish Transforming into Dragon” Zisha Teapot, which was sold for an astonishing 11.5 million RMB.
Top Lot of the Auction Price: RMB 11,500,000 Mid-Qing Dynasty, Shao Daheng's “Fish Transforming into Dragon” Zisha Teapot
- Dimensions: Width 18.2 cm; Height 9.5 cm
- Price: 11,500,000 RMB
- Seal: Daheng (on lid)
This exquisite teapot features an intricate design of ocean waves and clouds, with fluid and elegant lines. One side of the teapot is adorned with a relief of a carp spouting three beads amidst the waves, while the other side showcases a dragon emerging from the sea, playing with a pearl, vividly capturing its spirit. The lid is equally detailed, with a mythical beast splashing out waves, its tongue retractable, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship. The teapot handle, designed like dragon scales, seamlessly integrates with the whole piece, demonstrating superior artistry. The “Fish Transforming into Dragon” style was pioneered by Shao Daheng and has had a lasting influence, from late Qing artisans like Huang Yulin to the Republic of China's “Seven Grandmasters of Zisha Pottery,” continuing into modern times, with many teapots emulating Daheng's original design and details.
Shao Daheng (1796-1850): Active during the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods, Shao Daheng was a renowned teapot maker from Shangyuan Village in Yixing. Following the legacy of Chen Mingyuan, he became a master potter, known for his simple yet majestic creations. His teapots were celebrated for their elegance and were highly prized by collectors, earning the reputation of “worth a thousand gold pieces.” Qing scholar Gao Xi praised him in “On Ming Pots, Dedicated to Shao Daheng,” noting the harmony and refined proportions of his works, appreciated by both connoisseurs and the general public. Gu Jingzhou, a modern Zisha master, also lauded Daheng's teapots as the epitome of Zisha art, marking a departure from overly intricate designs. Shao Daheng's teapots were revered in the Qing Dynasty, cherished by collectors for their rarity and exceptional craftsmanship.
