Oncidium Pot

[Tarad]

Does anyone know where I can buy a cool pot for my Sharry Oncidiums for Holiday showing? I saw one on line specifically for Oncidiums and can not for the life of me come up with it again! Thanks! Tara

[jerrymeola]

Oncidium will grow in just about anything. There is no special pot for them.

Whatever you saw on line was just hype. There are many beautiful pots for orchids. Zisha pottery (Blue Clay Pots) are exceptionally nice. Drop me an email and I will send you some pictures.

( Email address Edited Please PM for details )

[Tess1]

Show us a picture of those pots please jerrymeola. I am curious, yes I know what killed the cat!

[KenFL]

My Pictures IMG_0638

[Tess1]

Where?.....

[Tarad]

Dont see any pics there Tara

[Sharyn]

Tarad: Here are a few pictures of Zisha pots. They are made in China in the Yixing Provence and produced from purple clay. Their colors are quite interesting, as they're all made from the same clay - just depends where the clay if found. For instance, if the clay is found under rocks, it often has the light buff color due to high ore content.

I have studied these pots for many years and here's a little history that I've learned of the pots:

Purple Clay was originally discovered in Yixing Provence of China during the Sung or Ming Dynasty - not sure which and there are many theories about this - but discovered sometime between Yrs. 943 - 1500. It is the only place in the world that has this type of clay.

The clay was formed from lake deposits. Up until more modern times, Chinese artisans threw the clay by hand to form their wares - it had a natural slip and nothing was added to form a teapot or bowls. The clay contains a high iron & mineral content. Everything was made my hand, including the intricate designs. Then each creation was stamped on the bottom with the artist’s stamp. It took many years for these artisans to perfect their skills and designs. Today much is done by machine, but some items are to this day made by hand (probably very expensive too.) But even to date, the bottom of the pot contains the Chinese stamp of authentic zisha ware.

There are basically three colors of purple clay - it’s all the same clay: Purple (very dark - almost black), red (terra cotta color), and buff. The red & buff color clays are becoming extinct. The red clay is found in areas with more minerals, the buff clay is found in areas under rocks or in areas with high ore content - this gives it’s light color. I found it amazing that all the colors are from the same clay and was produced (up until modern days) with no coloring or additives. (Today, extra minerals & some additives are added.)

The most prized use of the purple clay was in the craft of making tea pots (I think this still holds true today.). The clay is naturally unglazed and is more sandy, therefore allowing it to breath more. It is said that you can leave tea in a one of the purple clay teapots overnight and the tea will never become bitter. These teapots are like a seasoned cast iron fry pan, the more they’re used, the better they become with age. They’re never washed or cleaned with soap, just rinsed out. At one time, each person in a Chinese household had their own teapot, very small and only large enough to hold one serving.

Well, so much for a little history. Most Zisha pots today are still made and imported from the Yixing Provence. I only have one pot that was made in USA. For me, it's more the design and interest of their history that attracts me more than anything else. So now, go find some Zisha pots!

[slippery_biscuit]

Those are nice looking pots. Taller than what I've been using, not that it makes any difference. I think if I had one I would turn it upside down and mount a catt on the new "top".

[Tarad]

Ooo I like them too If I ever find that pic of that one claiming to be an Oncidium pot I will put it on here. Tara

[BillC]

Sharon, thank you for all the good stuff on the Zisha pots. I have a teapot designed for a single cup which has been in the family for many years and I had no idea of the source. I made a quick pic. of it to include in this post; do you think it might be a Zisha?

Bill

[PhalPal]

I just love tall pots; they work great for anything that may have cascading flowers.

[Sharyn]

Bill: What a lovely teapot! Most Zisha teapots are not glazed, however, I'm not sure what's being done in today's world. Your pot has an Oriental flair, but I'm not experienced enough to know where it may have originated. Look inside the pot or on the bottom for some type of identification marks. The Brits are still making hand-made teapots of red clay and slip but their shape is different so I don't know, but it sure is a neat looking teapot!

So, I guess we'll just have to meet at the Antiques Roadshow and bring our wares.

[BillC]

Sharon, just a couple more pics of the pot.
1. The lid showing a little branch with leaves
2. The impress mark on the base
3. The spout with a little branch leading to leaves on the bowl

Bill

[articuno75]

Ooooo I like it. It sure looks like a Zisha teapot. Bamboo handle and etchings. What about the stamp? Have you tried googling it for the mark?

[BillC]

Hi Articuno, I have not tried yet but if I get any more info. I will post.

Bill

[digitalgate]

where the cup that goes with it?

[BillC]

I don't think there ever was a cup that was a set with the pot. Do you know of pots sold with cups?

[articuno75]

I seen a pot similar to yours on eBay. There is also an eBay store that sells Zisha pots and tea call the Dragon something or other. They might have the matching cup/s

[BillC]

Thanks for the info on Ebay. I have been thinking of trying them and I will do so now , thanks again, Bill

[articuno75]

Dragon Tea House was the name.

[alexng]

Here are some pictures of my zisha teapot set

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by Tess1

Show us a picture of those pots please jerrymeola. I am curious, yes I know what killed the cat!

Curiosity killed the cat...
but satisfaction brought him back!

[Sharyn]

alexng: Great looking tea set! I've not seen one like that before where the cups can be stored inside the bottom vessel - quite unique! Thanks for posting this.

[Sharyn]

BillC: I promised to research your Zisha teapot to see if the stamp might give a clue to origin and date. After talking to several Chinese residents and business folks, (some of them quite elderly), I am told that the writings on the bottom of the pot are very ancient Chinese writings. I am also told that without the help of one who is very educated and versed on the ancient language, it will probably be impossible to decipher the who, what, where and when.

But all of them agreed that it appears to be Zisha and quite beautiful.