Teapot Treasures provides an extensive selection of antique, collectable, and contemporary quality gifts at competitive prices. In addition, this gift shop also provides Harney’s teas and accessories.
Antique Japanese teapots are more than mere objects of beauty; they serve as windows to history, culture and artistic expression. As these collectibles become rarer their values increase exponentially – their provenance being what truly distinguishes them as treasured relics.
Antique Japanese Teapots
Japanese tea ceremony first became widely known to the rest of the world when Buddhist priests and envoys traveled to China from Japan. Soon thereafter, its popularity spread throughout Japan’s court and upper classes in both towns and cities alike – it has since become an indispensable beverage worldwide.
Antique Japanese teapots are typically constructed out of either porcelain or clay (stoneware). While porcelain pots can accommodate virtually every variety of tea, clay ones add depth of flavor by reacting differently with tannins in the leaf, adding an umami component.
Some of the most coveted antique Japanese teapots feature an Uwade kyusu handle positioned opposite of its spout for easy holding and to prevent hot hands from touching it directly. This unique design allows users to easily hold and carry the teapot.
Antique Japanese tea sets often bear their manufacturer and region of origin marked on them. When Japan was under US control during WWII, most tea sets from this era would typically have been labeled with their manufacturer as having been Made in Occupied Japan; therefore when purchasing vintage Japanese teaware it is wise to look out for this in any manufacturer mark or mark of origin.
Antique Chinese Teapots
There are numerous antique Chinese teapots out there, each one unique. Their values range anywhere from several dollars to thousands depending on time period and producer; their beauty makes them prized investments while serving as beautiful decorative objects.
Teapots that feature collages, buildings or even elephants are among the most coveted collectibles. There’s also great demand for vintage teapots with shuttered windows or crawling vines reminiscent of Victorian cottages – this type of design often makes an excellent conversation piece!
An antique porcelain Qing Dynasty dragon-shaped teapot, complete with four characters markings to its base, makes a fine example of its type. At just 15 cm high it makes an impressive statement about style.
Chinese export silver was initially produced to satisfy Western taste and demand in the mid-18th century, when East-Asian designs began being fused with European styles such as Rococo and Neoclassical. A pot by Gu Jingzhou known for its intricate floral paintings adorned with vines and featuring an eye-catching curved spout is one such piece with this particular design.
Antique French Teapots
Antique teapots are treasured for their distinctive shapes and designs, as well as their interesting histories. Smiths often create them to honor their culture or as special presents for special people or royalty; this accounts for their high market value today.
Antique French teapots can be found throughout our shop. One such pot from Napoleon III era features an ornate silver pot decorated with an ornate “grain de riz’” pattern on its main body and lid; additionally, its base bears Gustave Odiot’s hallmark on it as evidence of authenticity.
Mariage Freres Paris offers another porcelain teapot from their collection that is both insulated and features a stunning lapis lazuli bloom as the knob on its lid, along with gold-plated handles and spout. You can buy this rare antique teapot for an affordable price from any shop; its elegance will certainly add beauty and character to your tea table, developing its own patina over time.
Antique English Teapots
British teapots of the Georgian period were exquisite yet affordable for middle class families due to advancements in ceramic production from Josiah Wedgwood’s creamware and Spode’s bone china production. Created as works of art rather than functional items, these pots made a statement all on their own.
This silver-bodied pot features unique art on its spout and lid. An underglaze blue double line on its body echoes river banks while on its spout is written Niderviller, signifying who designed this beauty.
This silver teapot was manufactured for American markets shortly after Stamp Act repeal in 1766 by female silversmith Hester Bateman, whose elegant design features exotic birds and flowers on an oval form with applied thread edge borders, completed by an oval cartouche featuring her monogram within. Antique English teapots typically included an emblem representing their workshop or pseudo hallmarks on their bases; similarly this piece displays studio marks.
Antique American Teapots
Antique teapots add an irresistibly nostalgic charm to your teatime collection. Their designs reflect both their culture of origin and the skills and creativity of their maker – not to mention they come in various sizes, shapes and colors to choose from!
Some antique teapots feature dating or manufacturer’s marks that can help determine their age. Furthermore, early teapots will often show signs of handcrafted work such as uneven spout holes or discoloration on handles that point towards handcrafted origins.
Silversmiths have long been fascinated with the form of teapots, as evidenced by their designs. One such design features natural branch motifs on both handle and spout of this melon teapot by Peter Bentzon; other American antique teapots showcased popular neoclassical styles at the end of 18th century such as these American antique examples from Peter Bentzon who worked at Revere’s shop following Revolutionary War.