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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.

An avid collector of teapot pottery is certain to entertain you with tales of the hunt. From one country to the next, through different periods, you will find a vast array of teapots in different styles, designs, colors and sizes. Whether the teapot is a genuine antique, a vintage teapot or even a newly made teapot, there is something to appeal to every collector and a teapot to fit into any collection.

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.

Should you decide to collect antique teapots, you need to learn how to assess their value. The condition, shape, desirability and the verification of the pottery mark are all indicators when determining value. This may take some time and investment. Mistakes will be made, but you want to avoid being sold a collectible teapot that turns out to be a copy. Learning to read the potter’s marks that manufacturers put on the bottom of a piece is critical. You don’t need to memorize them, but have a resource book handy that covers the type of teapot pottery you are collecting when identifying the pottery mark.

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.

If you intend to enjoy using some of your collectible pottery for tea, select a well designed teapot for the occasion, that allows you to pour tea gracefully into the cups. The body of the pot should accommodate the number of servings you would normally serve, and sit firmly on the table when it is full. The handle should allow you to grip comfortably and maintain control of the pot while you pour the tea. The spout should deliver the tea into the cup, not onto the saucer or table, and should never dribble down the pot to puddle on the table top.

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.

In memory of her great grandmother, Rachel began hunting for teapots and other teapot pottery when she was in college. Her passion for collector’s pottery has expanded 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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