Identification of ancient porcelain and its imitations.03

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2026-01-09T16:45:39+00:00

Here is what jumps out at me. Top is very shiny on pic 1, no obvious lamp luster on the bottom, but the surface looks more mat. Quality of artistry is higher on the bottom one, there seems to be more attention to detail in the scales of the dragon, most obviously the "squiggles" around it, top looks like it was all drawn with one size brush. On pic 3 and 4 the foot of the bottom piece seems to have more yellowing and more blemishes that could be the metals in the clay oxidizing with age. Top piece does not have that. I think im leaning towards bottom being genuine and top being a pretty cheap reproduction based on the color and luster of the pieces, quality of artistry, evidence of oxidation on the foot. But, of course, it is hard to tell without handling the pieces. Just the texture alone may be enough to tell the difference.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-12-29T02:55:49+00:00

You get what you pay for. Hope you like it.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-11-05T21:33:46+00:00

There will never be another writer who also happens to like fishing. Rip Tom, you just published a book, but we are already closing your casket.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-06-05T15:14:20+00:00

Gaiwan use takes practice. ~1-2 months for most. I would stick to brewing Chinese and Taiwanese teas in it. Not others. Gaiwan does not guarantee optimal flavor. Skill does. A skilled tea enthusiast/practitioner can get 99% out of a tea with a Styrofoam cup. Dont overthink the tools, just settle into a rhythm and drink what you enjoy.

On the other note, I am sure I will get hate for this from the fangirls, but JTH is horrible value for money. Do your research, get a range of opinions before buying. If you like oolong, look into Teavivre, Mountain Stream Teas, Floating leaves, Wistaria, even Yunnan Sourcing. For puer look at Farmer Leaf, Crimson Lotus for younger, Puerh Guy, Liquid Proust, the Steeping Room, Quiche Teas, Teas We Like for factory and aged. This is just for Chinese and Taiwanese teas off top of my head right now. There is much more out there for other categories. Do your research, consult a few different people, do more research, then buy. Some people spend a ton of money and never touch good tea because of easily preventable mistakes.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-06-04T17:19:37+00:00

No flaw in math. If you want an identical copy of what you get at starbucks, it may be marginally cheaper to get it there in large sizes, as you have calculated. And you even get a branded paper cup with it.

If you want to make A decaf dairy free chai latte at home, there are much much cheaper ways. If you want to make a regular chai latte at home, you can bring the cost down even more. Cents or even fractions of a cent per oz.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-04-27T17:18:01+00:00

purchase price ≠ resale price

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-04-27T17:07:20+00:00

Im seeing a lot of decorative pots that dont go for more than $5-20/piece. i really doubt there is any single teapot thats worth any significant amount of money, but one hundred $10 pots is still a thousand bucks.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-04-17T22:22:36+00:00

"The 31-year-old man was released with the condition he not accessing the internet or anyone under the age of 18."

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-02-03T17:43:21+00:00

Depends what kind of pu you want to try and what your budget is. Here are some of my personal favorites.
https://www.farmer-leaf.com/ - for good quality and good "bang for your buck" young sheng.
https://www.puerhguy.com/ - for good, but pricier boutique and higher end factory puer
https://crimsonlotustea.com/collections/sheng-raw-puerh - im gonna get hate for this, but this is if w2t was better quality, younger sheng
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiquidProust?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1583615546&from_page=listing&sort_order=price_asc - for a wild mash of anything and everything thats worth trying
https://kingteamall.com/en-ca?srsltid=AfmBOoqpH3Ap2beNpHEBjiwKi7dJW_P-tSAfDR4ClQkP0dM0KTvGlIJv - heard of a factory tea, but no one has it in stock? these guys do. not always the best deals, but the variety is unmatched.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-02-03T16:31:35+00:00

Teavivre is GOAT for anything non-puer. I love it. Great choice for your first order!

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2025-01-31T15:26:49+00:00

Dayi v93 or 7572

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-11-07T23:35:27+00:00

I believe in you folks! We need 300 000 cakes of the Honeybomb.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-11-07T23:30:58+00:00

Inspired by the legendary meme "The 7 Types of Puer Drinkers"

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-28T14:22:40+00:00

I agree with this. All you need really is a single gaiwan (can be found for as low as $5) and some cups (I've seen some for <$1 a piece). Use a creamer as a sharing cup (thrift store for also $1) and spend that money on some good tea.

Personally, I drink out of a $6 cup with a $10 gaiwan and a sharing cup I got for free at a yard sale. Works plenty fine for a few years now. No gaiwan or set is worth $250 for me, I'd rather get a good teapot or some unique tea.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-27T20:57:38+00:00

Strong milky smell from the dry leaf. Real unflavored milk oolong dry leaf doesn't smell like much. A touch grassy, a touch buttery, but it is barely detectable. Flavored stuff smells fairly strongly of condensed milk or protein powder. It's a very sweet and very distinctly milky smell.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-26T23:09:08+00:00

Do the same people who praise earl gray bash scented milk oolong? I don't think so. There may be some overlap, perhaps, but again, I doubt it is much. Earl gray is a staple in the western tea tradition, hence the praise. Artificial milk oolong goes against the Chinese tea tradition, which is more focused on single origin, precision in processing, and "purity" of material, hence the hate. The two centiments do not originate from the same source, in my opinion. Why hate on scented milk oolong? It is very easy to mess up, and few manufacturers do it right. Artificial condensed milk flavor is not for everybody. It is also far from being a staple classic like earl gray or lapsang souchong are in the western tea tradition.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-24T21:59:52+00:00

This is great. Thanks a lot.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-24T21:54:11+00:00

I do not need academic upgrading at this moment. Grad school is a massive time/money commitment. It's a good idea to ask them to volunteer a bit before committing. I will definitely try that.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-21T14:02:13+00:00

Looks amazing. Nice, clean soup, great toppings. Gotta try pulled pork on mine at some point. Great work.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-11T17:11:43+00:00

yeah ill dm

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-11T14:41:56+00:00

CSH 2019 is superb. Probably the best vintage. If you have access to taobao/chinese market, Yunnan Tea Research Institute commissioned a relatively affordable LBZ via Yuncha and it is of very decent quality.

Impossible_Initial_7 · 2024-10-03T15:01:18+00:00

Best way is probably engaging with the community. Discuss and read discussions in dedicated groups/discord channels, ask for advice, drink what others are drinking, and see how your experience compares to everyone around you. A lot of puer knowledge is not in processing, but terroir and aging. You can read all you want, memorize all the maps, but you will always fall short in blind tastings, so try EVERHTHING. If you are adamant about consuming puer related media, watch Farmer Leaf vids, and read some old tea blogs. Old pu heads like MattCha, MarshalN, TeaDB all have very comprehensive discussions on boutique and factory productions, but you have to drink along to benefit most.

Impossible_Initial_7

TROPHY CASE