A Mansheng-type Yixing stoneware 'ancient footstone' teapot and cover, Jiaqing-Daoguang, signed Yang Pengnian. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

The flaring saucer-like body with a recessed circular base, steeply curved inwards from the waist towards a flattened cover surmounted by a equally unique knop, flanked on the sides with a slightly compressed narrow spout and 'C'-shaped handle with a scroll-shaped thumb rest, one side with a series of dated kaishu inscriptions, the base with an impressed four-character zhuanshu seal mark, the stoneware of a dark brown colour with purplish hue. 15.7cm wide. (2). Estimate HK$ 400,000 - 600,000 (€38,000 - 57,000)

Yang Pengnian lived during the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns (1796-1850) and was considered one of the most talented potters who revitalised Shi Dabin's superb skill of hand modelling during the nineteenth century. Yang's brother, Baonian, and his sister, Fengnian were all renowned Yixing potters.

Chen Mansheng, known as Chen Hongshou (1768 - 1822), whose studio name or hao is 'A man tuo shi' is a native of Qiantang (present day Hangzhou). During the sixth year of the Jiaqing period (1801), he was appointed the magistrate of Huai'an. As a connoisseur of paintings, calligraphy and scholar's objects, Chen Mansheng and Yang Pengnian collaborated on pots whose construction of forms, techniques for rendering pictures, and engraving of inscriptions all blended together into a whole. The teapots were known as 'Mansheng Pots' of which there were eighteen forms believed to be designed and commissioned by the scholar. The present teapot in the form known as 'Zhuchu' or 'ancient footstone' was described as one of the Eighteen Forms of Mansheng Pots. The bottom of this teapot was inscribed with a four-character seal mark 'A Man tuo shi' and the underside of the handle with the two characters, 'Pengnian.'

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