Yixing Teapot With Pewter Spout
March 2014 Auction by Far East Asian Art

This early Qing Yixing teapot bears several seals on the lid and bottom surface indicating its origin in the small town of Dingshan, in Yixing County, southern Jiangsu Province, China. The pewter spout is fashioned into the head of an elephant with trunk raised. Chinese regard for the elephant as a symbol of wisdom and strength evolved from Buddhist iconography, where it represents strength of mind toward practice of the Buddhist way of life...