An Yixing stoneware 'peach' teapot and cover, Tongzhi-Guangxu, signed Huang Yulin. Photo Bonhams. 

Of compressed globular form rising from a slightly concave base, the flattened cover applied with an peach appliqué forming the knop, the fruit of longevity amidst naturalistic leaves issuing from a gnarled branch, flanked at the sides with a short curved spout and a 'C'-shaped handle with a thumb rest, the exterior further incised with a series of dated kaishu inscriptions followed by the potter's signature, with another two-character zhuanshu seal mark located towards the underside of the cover, the stoneware of an even reddish brown colour. 16.8cm wide. (2). Estimate HK$ 1.3 million - 2.3 million (€120,000 - 220,000)

Provenance: Song Zhiqin Collection

Illustrated: Jan Shing-Hwa, I-Hsing Pottery, Taipei, 1982, p.208

Huang Yulin (ca.1842 – 1914) was a native of Suzhou, who took his Imperial academic degree as 'xiucai' and later received training from the renowned Qing dynasty Yixing artist Shao Xiangpu. According to Li Jingkang and Zhang Hong, Yangxian shahu tukao (A Pictorial Study of Yangxian Pottery Teapots), vol.1, 1937, p.39, a teapot made by Huang would cost one Tael of gold to buy, but it was difficult to buy one as he would not make them unless he needed to sell them to make a living. As a literary potter, Huang used to be commissioned by Wu Dacheng (1835-1902) to make teapots for him. Huang's superb skills of clay kneading and teapot making are often demonstrated on teapots in various forms.

Wu Changshuo (1844 – 1927), the founder of the Xiling Society of Seal Arts, devoted himself to poetry and calligraphy with a strong interest in early scripts, and later became a scholar connoisseur of Yixing teapots. Wu Changshuo was well known in literary circles and had a very close friendship with Wu Dacheng.

Compare a similar teapot but in a slightly more compressed form sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 24 November, 2013, lot 554.

Bonhams. MASTERPIECES OF YIXING STONEWARE FROM THE MR AND MRS JIMMY SHA COLLECTION. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 13:30 CST