Teapots are such a fun thing to collect and they are fast becoming a very popular collectible. This basic guide focuses on the British collectible teapot and, as the title states, it is a simple guide designed primarily for the novice collector. Some things to know about and to consider, if you are thinking about collecting teapots are:
Why teapots and what designs?
The reasons for collecting teapots can be as varied as there are collectors. Many people collect teapots because the design relates to a hobby or passion or it reminds them of times or people in their lives. If you collect a certain theme, you can be certain that a teapot has been made that would compliment your collection. Today, you can find almost any design and the modern day teapots are all in fun!
What materials are used?
Early teapots were made of metal such as bronze and unglazed stoneware. The Chinese were making porcelain teapots early on and during the 18th century, the British potters tried hard to compete. The early British porcelain was a soft paste, but, these teapots could not hold up to the intense heat of boiling water. A few of these early teapots have survived, but, are in museums. In order to stay competitive with porcelain, the British used their own materials to come up with new wares, such as agateware and jasperware, and became very creative in the application of design. In the mid 1700’s Josiah Wedgwood invented creamware, which was the first earthenware to be able to compete with porcelain, because it was so light in color. Later the British learned to make a hard paste porcelain. Because there were no copyright laws, there are many British teapots made in the early to mid 19th century with the same design, although they were made at different potteries. Ceramic, porcelain, glass and china are some of the materials used in old and modern day teapots.
How do I identify a teapot?
Get to know manufacturers’ marks. There are many fine books on the subject, naming manufacturers, showing pictures of hallmarks, giving examples of problems you may encounter. Keep in mind that reproductions abound, so the more knowledgeable you become, the better able you will be to differentiate the real thing from the imitation.
What do I look for in regard to condition?
Make sure you carefully examine any teapot you are considering adding to your collection.. Some problems you may encounter:
Crazing – Many tiny cracks running across the surface or in the glaze of the teapot. Crazing weakens a piece. If the teapot has much crazing, you may end up with chipping.
Hairline Cracks – You really need to be on the lookout for these tiny cracks. They are often hard to see, but many times it is just a matter of time before a larger crack develops and the teapot is in pieces. The best light in which to view hairline cracks is natural sunlight.
Chips and Cracks – There are 3 common areas of chipping and cracking and they are:
1. Inside the lid
2. The rim of the teapot
3. Underneath the spout
Make sure you carefully check these areas. Visually inspect but, also, use your hands and fingers to help detect chips and cracks. You can probably live with a small chip, but, obviously, a cracked teapot is a concern.
There are lots of fun teapots on the market these days. The Teapottery and Tony Carter in England are a couple potteries making these modern day quirky teapots, which are handmade and are made using the old techniques. It takes about 6 days to produce one of these teapots and about 10 different processes, with skilled artisans being involved in each process. We have a great selection of these quirky teapots in our store. If you are collecting purely as an investment, as with anything that is collected, the fewer that are made, probably the more valuable. I tend to think that a collection should be fun and reflect the collector’s personality, so make sure you are getting good value, but, above all, choose what appeals to you and have fun!
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