Collector’s Pottery – Teapots
Tea has been revered as an exotic and refreshing drink in many different cultures over the centuries. Countries like India, China, England, Japan, Russia and Germany have all created their own customs and ceremonies surrounding the preparation, service and consumption of tea. You may never have considered antique teapots as being historical artifacts, but reconsider. Teapot pottery from all over the world provides clues as to how each society went about their daily lives, negotiated business transactions and entertained in social occasions. Antique teapots were symbols of a person's status and position.
Collecting teapot pottery, whether they are antique teapots, vintage teapots, or next to new, has great visual appeal for collectors in addition to the usefulness of the teapot. There are many styles, designs, colors, sizes, shapes and themes to be collected. Ask any passionate collector about her collection and she will tell you that some teapots will catch your eye and beg to be purchased and added to your collection. The thrill of the hunt is one of the rewards of finding collectible pottery.
The sheer volume of collectible teapot pottery on the market may give you a moment of doubt about starting a collection. Take some time to research what types of teapots and accompanying pottery appeals to you. Narrow your decision to something that you like and is more readily available for you to begin collecting. The intrinsic value of your teapot collection is its value to you, so whether you are collecting antique teapots from 18th Century England or vintage teapots from several decades ago, your collection should reflect your own likes.
If your heart is set on collecting teapots from a specific era or geographic place, you need to learn how to recognize the authenticity of the piece. Potter's marks are generally found on the bottom of the piece and resource books are easily available for you to learn to identify these marks. In addition to authenticating a teapot, you must take into consideration its condition, shape and desirability when determining how much to pay for it. You will probably make some mistakes along the way, but you want to avoid paying top dollar for a copy of a piece of collectible pottery.
As you learn to assess the condition of a collectible or antique teapot, you will see signs of wear. Doubtless, the teapot has seen some use in its lifetime and this does not make the pot less valuable. Look closely for good quality in its design and manufacture If a teapot is being sold as an antique or vintage teapot and it looks like it is in perfect condition, you are probably looking at a copy and not an authentic piece.
Older ceramic and porcelain teapots frequently have crackling in the finish, which is one sign of its age. Check for cracks and whether or not you can tell if the piece was broken and then mended. Does the lid fit well on the body of the teapot and does it have chips? The inside of an antique or vintage teapot typically is discolored from years of steeping the tea. The insides of some spouts were made with holes to strain the loose tea leaves. Older teapot pottery will have holes that are uneven and not perfectly rounded since many of these were made by hand.
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.
After all the planning and research, decision making, hunting and finally the purchase of the teapots that will make up your collection, the goal is to enjoy your hobby. Collecting pieces of cultural history, even if they are replicas, is a celebration of the exotic beverage we all know as tea. So after a long day, sit and sip a cup of freshly brewed tea from one of your favorite teapots, and smile as you admire your collection of teapot pottery and remember the fun you had finding that particularly wonderful piece.
In memory of her great grandmother, Rachel began collecting teapots and other teapot pottery when she was in graduate school. Her love of collector's pottery has grown to include vintage and classic 20th Century pottery. Rachel offers great deals and affordable pieces of collectible pottery on her website.
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