A pair of Yixing stoneware 'hundred-fruit' teapots and covers. Modern, signed Jiang Rong. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Each naturalistically moulded as a pomegranate with a bats-fruit handle and lotus-shoot spout, the cleverly fitting cover moulded in the form of an upturned mushroom, the main body decorated with an wide assortment of applied chestnuts, goji beans, gingko nut, pumpkin seeds, black turtle bean, watermelon seeds, red dates, soy beans, walnut, fava beans and water chestnuts, each base impressed with a two-character zhuanshu potter's seal mark, and with a two-character zhuanshu seal mark towards the underside of the cover, the stoneware ranging from beige to reddish brown with pigmented colours. Each: 14cm wide. (4). Estimate HK$ 300,000 - 500,000 (€29,000 - 48,000)

Jiang Rong (1919-2008) is known as the first female Yixing master of the twentieth century. A native of Qianluo Village in Yixing's Chuanbu County, Jiangsu, she started to learn the art of Yixing stoneware in her youth. In 1954, she was employed as a technical advisor at the National Factory of Yixing Stoneware. Her work was selected as gifts by Zhou Enlai (1898 -1976) for foreign dignitaries in 1957. She was known for her fruit-inspired Yixing vessels, which combine exquisite technique and realistic rendering. See another example of a Yixing stoneware 'melon' pillow, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 27 May 2012, lot 634. 

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