Collecting Teapot Pottery

Teapots have an historical link with ancient cultures in Asia and gradually developing throughout the rest of the world

. At it's source, tea was considered a beverage for the emperors and titled rulers of the land. So highly prized, tea was used symbolically in ceremonies to celebrate all manner of special occasions. For each special occasion, special kinds of teapot pottery were created for each different ceremony. Antique teapot pottery has significant historical value as artifacts of past societies. Tea and its accompanying pottery impacted the western world in more recent centuries, and each country developed its own ceremonies surrounding tea and the pottery to brew, serve and drink tea.

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.

It can be overwhelming to begin a collection of teapots, as there are so very many choices. Do some research to see what types of teapot pottery appeals to you most. Once you have made that decision, it will be easier to narrow down the choices that will make your collection cohesive. Antique teapots are very collectible, but that does not make the collecting of new teapots and teapot pottery any less beautiful and fun to collect.

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.

When you are looking at older teapot pottery you will want to examine its condition closely. If the teapot is of porcelain or ceramic you will see some crackling in the finish. Inspect for cracks or breaks that have been mended. The lid of the teapot should be snug and fit the body. Check the lid and spout for chips and the inside of the pot should be stained from years of brewing pots of tea. If there is a strainer inside the spout, the holes are generally uneven in shape, as the machinery used to manufacture it typically did not make perfectly round holes.

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.

Your collection of teapot pottery is really meant to bring you years of enjoyment. Whether your collection will be for admiring behind the glass of a cabinet or sitting on a table brewing tea or a combination of both, you will be continuing a centuries old tradition of collecting and using teapots. Planning your collection, learning as much as you can about your chosen collectible pottery era, and the searching and shopping for your collection should give you pleasure for years to come. And at the end of a tired day, put your feet up and brew yourself a nice cup of tea.

by: Rachel Spauden

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