I am very picky about material control and precision in shape for all infusion and drinking vessels. I think what goes on the surface of such vessels adds only to the craft or decorative values, and not the infusion quality. Some very fine pieces can be of some artistic values. Pots by big name artists, say Gu Jingzhou, have increased in price in the past 30 years quite dramatically. The same has actually happened to antiques, paintings, real estates, and puer chabing in the Chinese market. I am not sure whether it is the real appreciation of value or external factors.
As you may have observed, I am very keen in the study of antique artefacts of cultural and artistic values. However, I do not confuse an item of such values with the utilitarian infusion capability value.
To me, silver for teaware is absurd, using an antique Song ware to make tea in is sinful, and a Gujingzhou teapot is a speculative and / or financial medium that just happens to take the form of a teapot.
