A VERY RARE ZITAN TEAPOT WARMER
PROPERTY FROM THE RUIXIULOU COLLECTION
A VERY RARE ZITAN TEAPOT HOLDER

QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Details
A VERY RARE ZITAN TEAPOT HOLDER
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
Of plain cylindrical form in the shape of a traditional pail, the holder is flanked by two upright flared tabs with openings for the arch-shaped removable handle. The handle is hinged on one side to insert into the openings above the fitted wood cover. There is a U-shaped opening at the rim for the spout of the teapot to be placed, and reinforced by a ruyi-shaped metal mount. The body is encircled with a ring of metal mounted at the waist and the bottom. The wood is of deep purplish black tone.
7 1/8 in. (18 cm.) high

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Priscilla Kong
Priscilla Kong

Lot Essay

A teapot filled with hot water would have been put inside the current holder, with the spout resting on the U-shaped opening at the rim. After the fitted cover and handle are placed, tea can be poured directly by holding the handle. It is very rare to find a holder made exquisitely in zitan and being kept in good condition, as most were made from rattan or softwood and would have been easily disposable. A more elaborate huanghuali teapot holder is illustrated in The Best of the Best: The MQJ Collection of Ming Furniture, Beijing, 2017, p. 474.

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