A JADE EMBELLISHED INGOT-SHAPED ‘LOTUS POND’ PEWTER ENCASED YIXING TEAPOT BY FAN LUZENG DATED TO A SÌ HÀI 巳亥 YEAR CORRESPONDING TO 1839 CHINA, QING DYNASTY Of hexagonal shape, that of a gold or silver ingot, made of Yixing terracotta clay all covered with a pewter, the handle, the finial and the point of the beak made of jade. One side is engraved with a lotus pond whilst the other side is engraved with a calligraphy. Wiith a seal mark impressed in the central flattened area reading ‘‘范述曾製’, lit. ‘Fàn shù céng zhì’, for the artist Fan Luzeng. H: 8 cm Notes: 1. Pewter-encased Yixing teapots appear to have been invented by scholar-connoiseur Zhu Jian in the early 19th century, and Yang Pengnian (楊彭年) was one of the finest makers of these pots at the time, and so was Fan Luzeng (范述曾). Fan's works were commonly incised by scholars with poems or other scholar's taste subjects such as the 'three friends of winter'. 2. Compare with a pewter encased yixing teapot by the same artist sold at BONHAM’S Hong Kong, China, 2011-11-28, lot 205, for HKD43,750. 宜兴“荷塘”茶壶-范述曾作 己亥年，1839 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.