In the wake of a sudden "purple storm" last year, the teapot market faced significant scrutiny. However, as time has passed, the industry has emerged from the turbulence and is now experiencing rapid growth, especially this year. According to industry insiders, the price of standard clay teapots has risen by 40% to 50% within just one year, while high-end Zisha works have seen even more dramatic increases. Masterpieces, in particular, are becoming increasingly rare and difficult to find.
The market for genuine teapots remains strong, with quality pieces continuing to appreciate in value. Inferior products have largely disappeared from the market, although some still exist. As Tan Jianqiang, owner of Yipin Pot Art, explained, “While we can’t completely eliminate low-quality pots, they are no longer commonly seen, and demand for them has dropped significantly.†He added that as the market matures, subpar teapots naturally exit the scene.
This year’s hot trend in teapot investment is centered around works created by young and middle-aged artisans. These artists have become the main focus of collectors, while masterpieces from older generations are becoming increasingly scarce. “Many of the older masters reached their peak during their middle years, and their works from that period are now highly sought after,†Tan said. With most of these masters now in their 70s and often unable to produce new works, the supply of authentic masterpieces has dwindled, creating a serious shortage in the market.
Even among younger artists, demand exceeds supply. Tan pointed out that the most collectible works come from two groups: young and mid-career artisans known for their technical skill, and pieces crafted by renowned masters. He listed six key figures in the first group—Zhuang Yulin, Ge Taozhong, Shi Xiaoma, Jiang Jianxiang, Chen Guoliang, and Gao Zhenyu—as well as four master artists—Wang Yuxian, Zhou Guizhen, Lu Yichen, and Xu Hanjian. Their works are now nearly impossible to find, often only available through auction houses.
In Dongguan, the teapot market has evolved into a more sophisticated space, where investors play a bigger role than casual buyers. Tan Jianqiang noted that many players now act more like collectors, focusing on long-term value rather than short-term gains. The market has also shifted toward a recombination model, where merchants and collectors work together to manage supply and demand. This is partly due to the current scarcity of high-quality pieces, prompting some to hold back certain works for strategic distribution.
Another major change is the rise of second-hand teapot trading platforms. These online communities, primarily based in Yixing, have created a structured system for verifying authenticity and setting fair market prices. Collectors who bought teapots in earlier years now use these platforms to confirm the legitimacy of their pieces and trade them at competitive rates.
When it comes to selecting valuable teapots, Tan emphasized that the best works are those that excel in six key areas: the craftsmanship process, the material used, the design, the firing temperature, the artist’s reputation, and the artistic vision behind the piece. “Only a teapot that meets all six criteria can be considered truly perfect,†he said. He also advised collectors to research the background stories of young and emerging artists, as their works may reflect different emotions and experiences depending on the period in which they were created.
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