Far back in the Yuan Dynasty of China (A.D. 1368) there is mention of a man who bought a teapot. For centuries teapots have been crafted to serve tea.
Today artisans of China are still crafting the most exquisite teapots.
The Portal Market has a direct relationship with a Marine Archaeology recovery company in Malaysia finding artefacts and various ceramics and teapots from shipwrecks that carried the wares from the 14th-16th centuries.
With documented shipwreck ceramics, there is no doubt about authenticity or provenance. This is important in a time when so many antiques on the market are suspect. Shipwreck ceramics also have historical and archaeological value that is not available by antique shops. Every wreck site yields secrets that increase our knowledge about ancient trade patterns and trade products. Every wreck that is excavated is carefully documented. There is no doubt about the origin of the artefacts recovered. Shipwreck ceramincs are limited to the actual cargo of eack vessel and cannot be replaced as it is sold.
The wear seen on many shipwreck ceramics is an attraction in itself that confirm their long secret stay on the seabed. Mother Nature's effort to return all man-made things to their original elements is evident on a great many shipwreck ceramics. Few of them that were fired at high enough temperature and then protected by sand and mudare however, are suprisingly pristine as show above by the three Yixing Tea Pots.
Shipwreck ceramics can also be considered 'new' despite having spent centuries on the seabed. Since they are only now reaching the market, with no previous owner, the buyer today willl be making a long over-due purchace. The artefacts in this sense are both old and new. The buyer will be the first ever owner of pottery made 550-700 years ago.
All artefacts are registered at the time of recovery. A STICKER BEARING THEIR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS AFFIXED TO EACH ITEM. A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY, WHICH ALSO RECORDS THE NUMBER, ACCOMPANIES EACH SINGLE ARTEFACT.
How to collect:
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All ceramic artefacts are individual. It can be its form, decorative survival grade or uniqueness of the wares, from a specific ship.
Sould you be interested you can contact me at willard@portalmarket.com or FAX 415 456-5007 for your specific interests. A picture will then be produced of the individual wares and e-mailed to you with it's serial number and individual price. The wares will then be reserved for you for one week before offering thenm to other interested collectors. Sould you wish to purchase some of these items, they will be immediately sent by air frieght to you in a safe package.
Pricing is determined by the age and condition of the teapot or other ceramic artefacts.
On a recent trip to S.E. Asia three teapots were acquired by the Portal Market to offer it's customers.
The beauty that is found in a teapot is quite unlike other earthly objects. It is the teapot that is set on the table for people to share, and to come together. The teapot stands like a sentinel to the sacred gift of life whereby all who participate in a tea ceremony center their attention on the teapot from whence comes the most wonderful elixir prompting conversation and conviviality.
These tea pots may no longer be available, as collectors are always seeking unique and very distinctive craftsmanship. The tea pots shown below are authentic and not copies. There are however, many copies made from the originals.
Click on teaport for larger image
The unique characteristic to this teapot is the dragon's head on the top of the teapot lid moves and bobs. You cannot remove the head from the lid as it is permanently inserted into the lid, however, it is free to move. The delicate detail of the dragon carved around the teapot is especially intricate and adds a great deal to the overall impression of the teapot.
Make ckecks or money orders payable to:
Portal Market
PO Box 655 Fairfax, CA 94978
Phone: (415) 258-7356
Click on teaport for larger image
Truly one of the most unusual teapots crafted in cobalt blue with fluted edges and a small frog sitting on top. This teapot was crafted by Wang Fu Jun, and also commands the same price as does the Dragon Teapot. Again, these are one of kind teapots, and very much a prize among teapot collectors.
Make ckecks or money orders payable to:
Portal Market
PO Box 655 Fairfax, CA 94978
Phone: (415) 258-7356
Click on teaport for larger image
A deep rich brown section of a tea tree with carved vines on the sides with a vine section for the handle. This is a truly unique teapot and one very much influenced by the tea plantations. A perfect teapot for Pu-erh tea.
Make ckecks or money orders payable to:
Portal Market
PO Box 655 Fairfax, CA 94978
Phone: (415) 258-7356