Yixing Stoneware Three Creatures Teapot, Qing Dynasty.

Brown stoneware teapot with a molded decoration on the belly of a grid symbolizing lightning delimited by 2 bands of stylized clouds. The spout represents a Dragon's head and on the handle climbs a small Chilong. The lid is surmounted by another Chilong. The creatures are of beautiful quality, modeled with the greatest care, the chilong of the lid is curved on itself, ready to pounce. Below a square mark printed in hollow as well as another mark under the lid, certainly an artist's name or that of a workshop. A similar model is illustrated in the book by KS Lo "The stoneware of Yixing from Ming period to present day", and was created at the end of the 19th century by Songting Zhaoji. It seems that this model was invented in the 18th century by Chen Shoufu and that several artists subsequently created identical ones. The Chinese would call this model: "Teapot with 3 creatures". Only a specialist in Yixing stoneware will be able to date and attribute this teapot precisely. The stoneware has a beautiful old patina. The object can be seen at the Nice Conservatory for handling. Good condition. No repairs. We have the little documentation we have available. Length: 203mm Height: 100mm