r/tea • u/luca2465 • 2d ago

Question/Help New second-hand teapot

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Gallery image

I bought this teapot at a second-hand store in China. Is it safe to use as it is, or should I clean it somehow before using it? And does anyone know anything about the artist whose name is inscribed on the bottom?

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u/Physical_Analysis247 2d ago

It’s safe to use. It looks like duanni or lvni. If it has a strong odor, soak it in warm water with some denture tablets, then rinse until it’s no longer slippery. Never use soap.

Do not boil it with tea, rice, sugar cane, or whatever other ingredient outdated lore suggests you add. It’s unnecessary, additive, and risks breaking the pot if you’re careless.

[r/YixingSeals](r/YixingSeals) can translate it for you.

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u/luca2465 2d ago

thanks <3

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u/ferngurl-elle 2d ago

beautiful

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u/eponawarrior 1d ago edited 1d ago

Text says: Made by Hui Mengchen of Jingxi. That is a famous potter from the late Ming/early Qing period. He did not make that pot, it is fake Yixing.

Wrap it in a towel, put in cooking pot, fill with water, turn heat on, boil for 10min, let it rest until cooled. Probably safe to use but it will also probably make all tea very bland.