LIM SOON HUAT

Founder, Lim Sign

An accountant by training, Lim Soon Huat was introduced to Yixing teapots when he was a secondary school student by his Chinese language teacher. “I was only about 17,” he remembers. “During lessons, my teacher would brew tea on the side and share it with all of us. It made me fall in love with tea-drinking.”

In 1995, Lim purchased his first teapot that was crafted between 1978 and 1983 for RM20. But his collecting journey really took off only from 1997 when he moved to Singapore, where he has a business in signage and printing. Today, his collection includes over a thousand antique Yixing teapots, which is likely worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The majority are dated before 1949, with a bulk of them made during the Qing dynasty. His most prized is a Meirenjian teapot named for its beautiful curves that resemble a woman’s shoulders. It was made between the 40th and 60th year of Emperor Qianlong, who reigned from 1735 to

1796. “I can’t estimate its current value but I would never sell this pot,” says

Lim. “It’s a priceless item. Generally, teapots from this era are auctioned for about $70,000.”

To the 47-year-old, collecting antique Yixing teaware is an enjoyable pastime that complements and elevates his interest in drinking tea. Monetary rewards are not his primary consideration, but he recognises the high investment potential.

“Appraising the quality and value of old Yixing teapots is complicated. Compared to teapots, one is probably better off investing in watches. However, if you truly love Yixing teapots and you know the market well, it is as good an investment as any. I treat my collection as a hobby and an investment.

“I used to buy these things cheap but over the years, they have seen a manifold increase in value. Also, with the greater scarcity and demand today, I am able to trade some of my earlier acquisitions to upgrade my collection.”