Tea Plates and Silverware (Pots, Kettles, Saucers)- As Important As Tea

The origin of the teapot is questionable, although we remember as kids we sang ‘I am a little teapot short and stout…’ and I still remember that even my grandmother did sing it for me and remember she saying that she had learn it from her grandmother. So we can assume definitely a teapot is pretty old in origin, if not underestimating a minimum of 10 old? I guess so.

There are historians that believe that the teapot took its origin in China. This is somewhat discarded by several other historians who note that historically the Chinese brewed their tea directly in the cup and not in any pot or kettle and that they drank the liquid once the leaves had dropped or sedimented to the bottom of their cup leaving clear solution above.

So a teapot is likely a European invention majority of historians agree. Although it is likely an invention with a little copyright infringement we can say. It is very similar to the Chinese winepourers that were being imported around the same period that the teapots began to pop up in Europe. Teapots also have a resemblance to the Islamic coffeepots of the same period.

In either case, the teapot, as we know it is a European invention. However, it would take some foreign ingenuity to make the invention work. The European-manufactured teapots were of a thick unwieldy cast that was extremely fragile. To combat their breakable nature, the spouts were replaceable. Though they had come up with a great idea, they didn't have the ceramic experience to make a pot that actually functioned.

The Europeans did make some interesting strides with their pots. Though none of them worked well functionally. There are pots from the period that were uniquely shaped; melons and octagons. The European interest in animals from lands that had recently been opened up through trade was apparent as well. There were pots in the shapes of camels and monkeys.

In order to address the fact that the Europeans couldn't make a decent teapot, the ever enterprising East India Company took designs that suited Europeans, or at least the stereotypical European and had them made by craftsman in China. The Chinese crafted four main styles of teapot; faux Oriental designs, European print designs, armorials (bearing the coat of arms for major European families), and even teapots that made advancements in teapot technology (such as those with the now standard spout drain on the interior of the teapot)

In time, technology has caught up with the Europeans’ love for tea and also the discovery of a clay deposit near Meissen, Germany allowed the new technology to work further. Soon after, the quality in Germany was being duplicated in England and France. With the work actually taking place in Europe now the designs and styled became more authentically European. While the handles received delicate and ornate scrollwork the actual pots themselves began to show up in a variety of shapes. The European love of the exotic was still prevalent though as the pour spouts of teapots still appeared as rare animals and even the heads of dragons.

Modern teapots, saucers come in a variety of styles.

Brown Betty Teapot - This is the "original" if there is one. This is made from the red clay discovered at Meissen, with the classic teapot shape.

Tetsubin Teapot - This is a Japanese style teapot made of cast iron. The enamel liner allows the tea to retain its heat for long periods of time.

Silver Teapot - These pots are not as stylish (unless stainless steel is your style) but they do retain their heat very well and they are very durable. The elite class of people highlighted their status in banquets and other social gatherings with a display of silverware. So more than quality of tea that is made out of silverware, these mostly became a status symbol.

Porcelain Teapots - These are often in the same shape as the brown betty but made of porcelain.

Yixing Teapots - These teapots get a seasoning with every pot of tea that is brewed. The numerous brews before it enhance each new brew.

Clear Glass Teapots - These pots allow the true tea connoisseur to enjoy the brewing process by watching it as it happens.