Choosing Jianzhan Teacups: Tips for Novices.
Novices may not have a deep understanding of Jianzhan teacups, but they still appreciate the unique antique charm and mysterious crystalline patterns of Jianzhan teacups. In this case, what are the things to pay attention to when choosing Jianzhan teacups? Today, we will analyze them one by one.
- About the Imperfection of Jianzhan Teacups
The craftsmanship of Jianzhan is particularly special. It relies on the skill of the potter to put it in the kiln, and it is up to fate when it comes out of the kiln. No craftsman can fully grasp the dynamics of Jianzhan. In addition, its unique raw materials give Jianzhan a rough and rustic temperament from birth. While celadon and white porcelain are smooth and delicate, Jianzhan is the opposite, rough and wild, not as smooth as celadon and white porcelain.
The firing technique of Jianzhan, which involves firing it upside down, also results in the appearance of dry lips, which is not found in other porcelain. The dry lips of Jianzhan are not a bonus, but they cannot be considered a flaw either. Due to its unique firing method, we should approach the dry lips of Jianzhan with a tolerant attitude, just as we do with the air bubbles.
Therefore, Jianzhan is not perfect, and each one is unique. However, our tolerance towards Jianzhan should be stronger than that towards other porcelain. We should view Jianzhan through a telescope and approach it with a heart full of love.
- Deformation issues of Jianzhan.
The body material of Jianzhan uses clay with a high iron content. The use of pure natural materials results in poor plasticity and heat resistance of the body of Jianzhan, and it is prone to deformation issues at extremely high temperatures.
Handmade Jianzhan can also have deformation issues, as it is not a machine and some deviations are understandable and not considered flaws.
Even if the antique Jianzhan from the Song Dynasty is deformed, it still has extremely high collectible value, and the historical and cultural significance it embodies cannot be erased.
Some severely deformed Jianzhan will be discarded by the manufacturer in advance. If the deformation is not obvious, we can invert the Jianzhan on a flat table and check if the mouth rim is in contact with the table surface. If it is not in contact, it indicates that the Jianzhan has a slight deformation.
- Avoiding "Jianzhan" that are not really Jianzhan.
Jianzhan has its unique craftsmanship and raw materials. Products that are fired using other techniques or do not meet the requirements of raw materials cannot be called Jianzhan.
With the rise of Jianzhan in recent years, many products have appeared on the market that are labeled as Jianzhan.
The most common are various colorful "Jianzhan" products on Taobao with the keyword Jianzhan. These products are not necessarily bad, but products made using other techniques cannot be called Jianzhan. By using the name of Jianzhan, they have entered the hands of those who sincerely want to buy Jianzhan, which is truly despicable.
We should know that Jianzhan first and foremost has an iron body. In terms of shape, besides the traditional pouring, bundling, gathering, and opening, there are also many innovations, such as egg cups, fairness cups, and even Buddha statues. "Baring the body" is not a feature of every Jianzhan. Some masters prefer to cover the entire Jianzhan with glaze, which is another characteristic. It is crucial to consider all aspects to judge whether it is a Jianzhan.
- About the pricing of Jianzhan.
The prices of Jianzhan on the market vary greatly, making it difficult for people to understand.
During the Song Dynasty, the value of Jianzhan already had a large span. At that time, the mainstream glaze color was rabbit hair, but even with the same rabbit hair glaze, the prices of ordinary and high-quality Jianzhan differed greatly.
Usually, the pricing of Jianzhan is mainly based on two aspects: aesthetic value, including the overall shape, appearance, and glaze pattern of the entire Jianzhan; and the difficulty of the craftsmanship, including the type of kiln, whether it is handmade or machine-made, and the proportion of the body and glaze ingredients. These factors determine the price of Jianzhan. Proper adjustments can increase the production rate of Jianzhan and lower its price slightly.
In addition to these two main factors, there are other factors that can also affect the price of Jianzhan, such as the master's reputation and whether it is a discontinued edition.
In summary, when it comes to Jianzhan, we should be meticulous and not focus on what it should not have, but be tolerant of what it can have. As long as we confirm that it is a genuine Jianzhan and not being misled, the most important thing is to choose the one we like the most.
