Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks

Yixing Teapot "Zisha" Clay Pottery Maker's Marks.


Yixing clay teapots , also called "Zisha", or Purple clay are made from Yixing clay. This traditional style of tea pot originated in China, dating back to the 15th century, and are made from clay produced near Yixing in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.

Archaeological excavations reveal that as early as the Song Dynasty (10th century) potters near Yixing were using local "zisha" (literally, "purple sand/clay") to make utensils that may have functioned as teapots. According to the Ming Dynasty author Zhou Gaoqi, during the reign of the Zhengde Emperor, a monk from Jinsha Temple (Golden Sand Temple) in Yixing handcrafted a fine quality teapot from local clay. Such teapots soon became popular with the scholarly class, and the fame of Yixing teapots began to spread.

Today Yíxing teapots are actually made in nearby Dingshan, also known as Dingshu, on the west side of Lake Tai. Hundreds of teapot shops line the edges of the town's crowded streets and it is a popular tourist destination for many Chinese. While Dingshan is home to dozens of ceramics factories, Yíxing Zisha Factory Number 1, which opened in 1958, processes a large part of the clay used in the region, produces fine pottery ware, and has a large commercial showroom.

Having an interest in collecting Chinese Yixing Teapots, I decided to create this list of Yixing teapots marks since there appears to be none available elsewhere online.  The list is an incomplete one, mostly since there are literally thousands of different marks spanning several centuries, and two, this list of Yixing makers marks will be a continued work in progress requiring much effort and research.

Most of the Yixing teapot maker's marks listed are of specific potters, however, a few of them are shop names.   Only the basic information is provided at this time as I have just begun preparing this page, which will become a very extensive list with detailed information.  Hopefully the information given will be enough for you to research your Yixing teapot further.

Yixing Teapot Marks

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Chinese Yixing Teapot Seals & Marks of the Qing Dynasty Period.

Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Huang Yu Ling
Huang Yu Ling










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Cheng Ming Yuan
Cheng Ming Yuan 











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Shao Yuan Xiang
Shao Yuan Xiang










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Shao Zhen Lai
Shao Zhen Lai










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Shi Li Ge
Shi Li Ge










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Tong Shang Lin
Tong Shang Lin










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wang Nan Lin
Wang Nan Lin










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wu De Sheng.
Wu De Sheng.
(Mark from 1910 dated pot)









Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Xu Fei Long
Xu Fei Long










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Yi Xing Xu Fei Long
Yi Xing Xu Fei Long













20th Century Yixing Clay Teapot Makers Marks


Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Cao Wan Feng
Cao Wan Feng










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - China Yixing
China Yixing










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Gao Yang Gong Ju
Gao Yang Gong Ju










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Ge Tao Zhong
Ge Tao Zhong - 1980s










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Ge Tao Zhong
Ge Tao Zhong - 1990s










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Gu Jing Zhou
 Gu Jing Zhou
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Gu Jing Zhou
 Gu Jing Zhou
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Gu Jing Zhou
Gu Jing Zhou










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Gu Shao Pei
 Gu Shao Pei










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - He Dao Hong
 He Dao Hong











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Huang Yu Ling
Huang Yu Ling











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Jiang Jian Xiang
Jiang Jian Xiang











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Jin Ding Brand
 Jin Ding Brand










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Ji Wan
Ji Wan










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Li Bao Zhen
Li Bao Zhen








 Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Li Bi Fang
Li Bi Fang









Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Lv Yao Cheng
 Lv Yao Cheng









Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Made By Tao Chun



Made By Tao Chun










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Tao Zhong
Made by Tao Zhong











Yixing Maker's Marks - Made by Ye Heng Jia
Made by Ye Heng Jia


Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - North Meng Cheng
North Meng Cheng
1970s









Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Pan Shui Jiang
Pan Shui Jiang










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Qing Xiang Zhen Wan
Qing Xiang Zhen Wan











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Shao Juan Xin
Shao Juan Xin











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Shao You Nan
Shao You Nan











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Shi Xio Ma
Shi Xio Ma











Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Tang Feng Zi
Tang Feng Zi Mark says Feng Zi












Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Tie Hua Xuan
Tie Hua Xuan










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wan Bao
 Wan Bao









Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wan Feng
 Wan Feng










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wang Yan Chun
 Wang Yan Chun










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wu Yun Geng
 Wu Yun Geng
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Wu Yun Geng
 Wu Yun Geng










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Xi Man Lun
 Xi Man Lun










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Yan Ting
 Yan Ting









Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Yu Guo Liang
 Yu Guo Liang










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Zhuo Gui Zhen
 Zhuo Gui Zhen
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Zhuo Gui Zhen
 Zhuo Gui Zhen
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Zhuo Gui Zhen
 Zhuo Gui Zhen
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Zhuo Gui Zhen
 Zhuo Gui Zhen
Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Zhuo Gui Zhen
 Zhuo Gui Zhen










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Zhu Ke Zin
 Zhu Ke Zin










Yixing Teapot Maker's Marks - Fang Jian Qin - 方建勤制

Fang Jian Qin - 方建勤制










All images, text & translations © 2013 -2015 Lita Xú Líng Kelley. All rights reserved.
You must credit, cite & link this page as source when using information in auction listings, etc

29 comments:

  1. Who is Shi Hui Fen ? Buddhas hand tea pot monkey lid .

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have 2 yixing teapots. Trying to identify period and maker.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Trying to identify this set, any help would be appreciated
    http://postimg.org/image/kp5xic09t/
    http://postimg.org/image/w22sc4aqp/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Trying to identify this set, any help would be appreciated
    http://postimg.org/image/kp5xic09t/
    http://postimg.org/image/w22sc4aqp/

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am trying to identify a Yixing teapots crop marks. I you can help respond to me at weldins2@charter.net.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have a very unusual tea set that I know is old and am trying to identify.
    How can I send a picture to you?

    ReplyDelete
  7. “氏尹” 是不是有名的大师? 年代?
    Would you happen to know what time period a tea pot made from “Shì yǐn” is from?
    And, is this a master tea pot maker?

    ReplyDelete
  8. “氏尹” 是不是有名的大师? 年代?
    Would you happen to know what time period a tea pot made from “Shì yǐn” is from?
    And, is this a master tea pot maker?
    Kindly respond to: kcaro8989@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. im trying to identify a teapot can someone email me on ellieowen2@msn.com please thanks

    ReplyDelete
  10. im trying to identify a teapot can someone email me on ellieowen2@msn.com please thanks

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  11. Perhaps various traductions for 周玲芳制
    made by Zhou Lingfang....Zhou Xing Fang?
    http://www.dukes-auctions.com/Catalogues/sf061212/page24.html
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, can you recommend a good teapot master from jiangsu. I would like to buy from the house direct instead wholesalers. Thk.

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  13. Can anyone advise me of a timeline on when the 4 character Yixing Zisha mark, 宜興紫砂 was used on the bottom of teapots? I found a few teapots without any other marks than these 4 characters and would like to know more on the subject.
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am new to this identifying as I am getting older and have rediscovered learning new worldly things. I have a small brass or bronze teapot but I have been unable to identify the makers mark. With the internet today you would assume I would be able to do such. Is it possible to get some assistance from anyone discussing on this thread? I can email a picture to anyone contact me at dawnkelsch13@gmail.com for a pix if interested thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Lita Xuling Kelley,

    I have a military green Yixing teapot (with six cups and saucers/plates). It has a cicada on on the pot lid. I was told it had been especially commissioned by the Purple Clay Teapot Museum as a limited edition (unfortunately, I cannot verify that). Everything has the mark "China Yixing". I believe that the pot has the makers mark ... again, it is unfortunate that I do not know the makers name. I am sending you the mark so that, should you think it is relevant to your identification blog, you can use it in any way you desire. Here is the link http://www.ihior.com/p/blog-page.html

    If you can identify the maker please let me know - you can contact me on my blog ... if not then my email is touchdry at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bonjour Lita Xuling Kelley,
    Like other persons, I cannot read my Yixing seal...
    Maybe you can help me?
    Thank you
    and thank your for this good blog!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Kelly,
    I was gifted a yixing teapot about 10 years ago and told that it is valuable because of its marking. I’ve been searching for information about, but have been unable to find any.

    Would you take a look if I emailed you a picture? Natality@gmail.com

    Natalie

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  18. Good morning from Ireland. I've been trying to identify the maker and age of this teapot. Any help you can give would be very much appreciated. My email is briancfdunne@hotmail.com

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  19. I found a teapot marked 顾明春制. My understand is that this is translated Made by Gu Mingchun. The teapot is of a monkey figure. Trying to find artist history. Anyone know? Thanks. brad@egnor.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. im trying to identify a teapot can someone email me on jlarimore23@gmail.com please thanks

    ReplyDelete
  21. I can't figure out the markings on this one. My journey so far has led me here. https://www.reddit.com/r/Ceramics/comments/hyl6l2/chinese_potteryceramic_teapot_ive_tried_to/

    ReplyDelete
  22. Help me check " whose mark is this "
    Thank you all

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  23. Looking to identify this pottery. I think the mark is China Yixing which is not very specific. I was hoping you could guide me to someone or place that could help me continue my search.
    /Users/robynlarue/Downloads/IMG_2621.JPG
    /Users/robynlarue/Downloads/IMG_2622.JPG

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  24. Trying to find what this symbol means

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  25. Hello, I am trying to identify two stamps on a tea pot and the lid of the same tea pot. If someone can take a look at my images, please send me an email. hkreitchet@gmail.com Thanks! Heidi

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  26. I'd like to read what is marked on my tea pot. How can I upload its photo?

    ReplyDelete