An Yixing stoneware teapot and cover, Mid Qing dynasty. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

he elegantly potted ovoid body applied with a loop handle set opposite a slightly curved spout, inscribed on one side in lishu with a six-character inscription, surmounted by a domed cover and shallow loop handle, the centre of the cover pierced with a small circular aperture, the stoneware of a rich plum-brown colour. 10.4cm high. (2). Estimate HK$ 10,000 - 15,000 (€950 - 1,400)

For a closely related Yixing teapot of similar form and stoneware colour, carved by Manshen, dated to the Jiaqing period, see Yixing Zisha Wares in the Palace Museum, Beijing, 2009, p.114, pl.54.

The inscription reads:
'Jigu zhigong, Youzhu', which literally translates as 'Carved by Youzhu, trying to copy the old'.

The current example closely follows the prototypes by the Qing scholar Manshen (1768-1822), of which there are eighteen types. All those Mansheng teapots were commissioned by him, but designed and incised by Yang Pengnian.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 14:00 CST - http://www.bonhams.com