Lot Essay
This teapot is made in imitation of one made by Huang Yulin (2nd half 19th century) which was made in imitation of one made by the Ming dynasty potter, Gong Chun (late 15th-16th century). In making the copy, Huang Yulin mistook the shape of the teapot for that of a melon and assumed the missing cover would have looked like a calyx
For the example made by Huang Yulin see K.S. Lo, The Stonewares of Yixing, London, 1986, pl. 2 and pl. 58. This teapot is inscribed beneath the handle with the characters Gong Chun, as well as bearing the potter's seal, Yulin, inside the cover
Compare another similar teapot from the Percival David Collection, illustrated by Geoffrey Headley, "Yi-Hsing Ware", T.O.C.S., vol. 14, 1936-37, pl. 34a and later sold in these rooms, December 2-4, 1982, lot 465; and one included in the exhibition, Chinese Ceramics, Los Angeles County Museum, March 14-April 27, 1952, Catalogue, no. 320
For the example made by Huang Yulin see K.S. Lo, The Stonewares of Yixing, London, 1986, pl. 2 and pl. 58. This teapot is inscribed beneath the handle with the characters Gong Chun, as well as bearing the potter's seal, Yulin, inside the cover
Compare another similar teapot from the Percival David Collection, illustrated by Geoffrey Headley, "Yi-Hsing Ware", T.O.C.S., vol. 14, 1936-37, pl. 34a and later sold in these rooms, December 2-4, 1982, lot 465; and one included in the exhibition, Chinese Ceramics, Los Angeles County Museum, March 14-April 27, 1952, Catalogue, no. 320