Teapots are one of the historical artifacts found throughout many ancient cultures. Originating in China, the Chinese revered tea so much they created exacting ceremonies for the consumption of tea. Special teapots and cups were designed and used for different ceremonies. As the tea trade grew and tea became available to other countries on other continents, each country developed their own social ceremonies surrounding the purchase, storing, brewing and drinking of tea. You may not realize it, but antique teapot pottery is truly a window into historical cultures. Teapots were often used as symbols of a person's social position.
Teapots and teapot pottery come in an incredible array of styles, sizes, designs and colors. The antique teapots from different countries are incredibly diverse, yet all are similar in that they were designed to brew tea. Vintage teapots and even new teapots all have an appeal to the collector. Collecting teapot pottery offers great visual beauty as well as the practicality of being able to brew a cup of tea. Finding just the piece you have been looking to add to your collection is a great thrill.
Do a little research before you begin collecting. There are so many different ways to structure your collecting efforts that you might want to narrow down your criteria for starting your collection of teapot pottery. Not only are antique teapots available, but there are many beautiful and useful teapots being made today.
Assessing the value of antique teapots, should you choose to add these to your collection, will take a bit of learning. The condition is important, as is being able to identify a true antique from a copy. Makers of nearly all collector's pottery have marks on the bottom that were put there when the piece was made. These potter's marks tell a story of the time and place where a piece was manufactured. You should be able to find many excellent resource books of potter's marks for the type and era of pottery that you are collecting. This will aid you in your search for the authentic antique teapots that will make up your collection.
When assessing the condition of collectible and antique teapots, realize that there will always be signs of wear, but the condition should also show evidence of quality. Any teapot in perfect condition, should be suspect, as it is unlikely to be old.
If the teapot is made of ceramic or porcelain, is there crackling in the finish? Are there cracks? Are there signs that the piece was mended? Does the lid fit well on the body of the pot, and does it look chipped or has it been broken? Look inside for discoloration from years of steeping tea. If there are holes that lead to the spout, they should be uneven and not perfectly round, which could mean it was more recently made by modern machinery.
Teapots that are going to see regular use should be well-balanced. The bottom of the pot should sit in a stable position. The spout should not dribble when tea is poured and the handle should be comfortable to grip and be sturdy enough to support the weight of a full pot of tea. While the appearance of a teapot may look simple, a well designed teapot will allow you to pour tea in an elegant and graceful manner.
And what this all comes down to is that you are meant to enjoy your teapot collection. The planning and research, the shopping and bargain finding, the beauty on display and being able to enjoy a delicious cup of tea from a beautiful and historical vessel that has been an integral part of man's culture for centuries. So enjoy the experience of collecting and enjoy sharing a nice cup of tea with people you love. - 30524
Teapots and teapot pottery come in an incredible array of styles, sizes, designs and colors. The antique teapots from different countries are incredibly diverse, yet all are similar in that they were designed to brew tea. Vintage teapots and even new teapots all have an appeal to the collector. Collecting teapot pottery offers great visual beauty as well as the practicality of being able to brew a cup of tea. Finding just the piece you have been looking to add to your collection is a great thrill.
Do a little research before you begin collecting. There are so many different ways to structure your collecting efforts that you might want to narrow down your criteria for starting your collection of teapot pottery. Not only are antique teapots available, but there are many beautiful and useful teapots being made today.
Assessing the value of antique teapots, should you choose to add these to your collection, will take a bit of learning. The condition is important, as is being able to identify a true antique from a copy. Makers of nearly all collector's pottery have marks on the bottom that were put there when the piece was made. These potter's marks tell a story of the time and place where a piece was manufactured. You should be able to find many excellent resource books of potter's marks for the type and era of pottery that you are collecting. This will aid you in your search for the authentic antique teapots that will make up your collection.
When assessing the condition of collectible and antique teapots, realize that there will always be signs of wear, but the condition should also show evidence of quality. Any teapot in perfect condition, should be suspect, as it is unlikely to be old.
If the teapot is made of ceramic or porcelain, is there crackling in the finish? Are there cracks? Are there signs that the piece was mended? Does the lid fit well on the body of the pot, and does it look chipped or has it been broken? Look inside for discoloration from years of steeping tea. If there are holes that lead to the spout, they should be uneven and not perfectly round, which could mean it was more recently made by modern machinery.
Teapots that are going to see regular use should be well-balanced. The bottom of the pot should sit in a stable position. The spout should not dribble when tea is poured and the handle should be comfortable to grip and be sturdy enough to support the weight of a full pot of tea. While the appearance of a teapot may look simple, a well designed teapot will allow you to pour tea in an elegant and graceful manner.
And what this all comes down to is that you are meant to enjoy your teapot collection. The planning and research, the shopping and bargain finding, the beauty on display and being able to enjoy a delicious cup of tea from a beautiful and historical vessel that has been an integral part of man's culture for centuries. So enjoy the experience of collecting and enjoy sharing a nice cup of tea with people you love. - 30524
About the Author:
In memory of her fabulous grandmother, Rachel began collecting teapots and other teapot pottery when she was in college. Her love of collector's pottery has grown to include vintage and classic 20th Century pottery. Rachel offers fabulous deals and affordable pieces of collectible pottery on her website.
