Antique Plate World

When you hear the word tea you instantly think of a group of British sitting around at “high tea” and sipping tea poured from a delicate china pot into matching delicate china cups. Oddly enough though, tea is anything but just British.

Antique teapots, antique tea sets and specialty porcelain tea sets have entered the world long ago but remain quite collectible for both the young and the young at heart with collectors all around the world.

Tea pots are actually a Western innovation, becoming widely noticed in the 19^th century. Some say it was created to mimic a small server for wine that the Chinese used, while others argue it mimics an Islamic pot used to serve coffee.

While the origins are argue, it is known that the English preferred mostly silver tea pots, which originally resembled coffee pots for many years, but later resemble what most of us know as the teapot of today’s style. Both styles of antique teapots are actually in museums in England.

More Antique Tea Pot Resources

At one point some didn’t care for the silver pots and began to use imported Chinese red stoneware to serve their tea. The pots originally were round in shape but later started coming in shapes and sizes of all types.

The novelty teapots quickly became a trend in the 19^th century as Minton introduced some intriguing teapots but not to be outdone by artistic flairs of many others, including Sadlers, the company of artist James Sadler, Beswick & Price’s, and Cardew to name a few. The creators, artists, companies, and individual exclusive pieces are all sought after for various reasons.

Today teapot collecting is quite an extensive and exclusive pastime for many. There are everything from part-time collectors to full fledged collectors who make a living finding, buying, trading, and selling these varied vessels.

Like any collection, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so what one might find to be “wonderful” another may find quite plain and unappealing. One thing is for sure, the more unique, the original creator, the less worn, the material used, and sometimes when it was created, some teapots can cost upwards of $50k. One Yixing brand teapot from China, created in 1995 sold for $75k.

Some collectors collect based upon brand name/creators only. Yixing is one of the most highly sought after teapots. However people from every walk of life can and have loved their teapot collection.

Simple designs to cute characters and copycats of original rare pots, all call to both the individual collector and the business collector. Magazines, Collectors’ books, calendars and hundreds of online pages dedicated to these varied and beautiful vessels we call Teapots.
Collectors should collect them for their love of the teapot and not just the value of an antique teapot or resale price on a tea set. Once you realize the fun and excitement in finding something that makes you smile, without the concern of the resale value, you will become a true teapot collector.

Proven! Antique Tea Pots Slow Time!

Most people would never consider antique teapots as important historical artifacts. But they are. They hold the key to many cultures; the way they spent their time, how they withdrew from the day, entertained and courted friendships and traded secrets. A lot like today.

Drinking tea and the tea ceremony give us relief during a busy day -- even if for a moment. Of course, everything today is minimized and tea ceremonies consist of unceremoniously throwing a tea bag into a mug. This is nothing like ceremonies that other eras developed -- but the shorthand is still there -pausing from the day.

Countries like China, Japan, England, India, Egypt, Russia and Germany have their own tea histories. Antique teapots provide proof and clues as to how people used tea in these different countries to conduct business, treaties, marriage contracts and gossip. Antique teapots sybmolized your life, status and position.

Today people collect antique teapots because of their visual or collectible appeal. And there are so many antique tea pot styles, designs and eras to choose from. From porcelain antique tea pots, Victorian teapots, cast iron or Japanese antique teapots you can find antique teapots in every color, shape, size and country.

While blue antique tea pots are well-known there are also antique bamboo teapots, antique bronze teapots, silver antique teapots, antique clay teapots, glass antique teapots, and even antique crystal teapots.

So in your quest for finding and collecting antique tea pots things to consider include:

1.            The era or period

2.            The maker or manufacturer

3.            Antique markings on the piece

4.            Uniqueness of design, color or shape of the lid, spout and body.

5.            Number in existence.

Some antique teapots have strainers built into the bottom of the teapot to prevent loose tea leaves from getting poured into teacups. Clever -- and a design feature some modern tea pots have copied from these antique tea pots.

Some antique tea pots have strainers attached inside the spout but on the whole many without strainers at all.

Antique teapots may feel out of place next to the teabag world but they still serve a great purpose. For those who collect the pleasure ranges from uniqueness, color, design and even price.

For those who enjoy taking a moment to make tea in an antique teapot, whether it’s Staffordshire teapots, antique silver teapots or a yixing teapot, when they reach for an antique teapot they make time stand still. It’s may be an illusion but by using antique tea pots in your home you slow down the process of making tea into individual components. Each important for making tea and slowing down the day to collect yourself before you head off again.

I make tea in my antique teapot when I can; its antique Georgian made of sterling silver. My only complaint is that it’s too small because once I have poured two cups there is no third and I only have so much time to make tea.

If you liked this post please leave a comment.

Elegant Antique Tea Sets and Ceramic Tea Pots

Tea, for years has always been an exotic drink to refresh the mind and body after a hard day’s work or whenever you feel like you want to relax your mind and gather a bit of energy and regain your spirits, tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water; it is also known to detoxify poison and has been used as a medicine.

With the origin of tea the art of serving it properly has always been of utmost importance which on one hand makes you feel more refreshing and on the other hand captures the flavor and smell of the brew for a much longer time.

In many countries, tea has been merely a drink that you can make in any old mug and serve it simply.

The proper setting to enjoy the tea is by setting a pretty table that your guests can enjoy include china cups and saucers if possible.

Tea always comes from a pot, brought to the table on a tray along with sugar, a sugar holder, a milk pitcher, tongs for sugar cubes, a napkin, a spoon, a saucer, and -- of course -- a cup.

The Tetsubin teapot is a Japanese antique tea set made from cast iron.

The Tetsubin teapot is a beautiful reflection of the Japanese culture and history. A typical Tetsubin teapot has a geometric, organic or animal pattern decoration on the side where its spout faces your right.

This is because the pot is held in the left hand in Chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. Its design is thought to have been influenced by the kettles of the common Japanese households of the 17th and 18th centuries.

These kettles were simple in design and undecorated. They were typically hung on the fireplace hearth to provide hot water, warmth and humidity to a household; they were extremely practical pieces of kitchenware.

A ceramic teapot is a charming addition to any kitchen. While the appearance of a ceramic teapot may look simple, the actual work into the design can be quite elaborate but not with loud decorations.

The teapot should also not be too delicate for use, or too heavy to lift. The structure of a ceramic teapot is a precise art in balance, both in its structure and its appearance.

A ceramic teapot should ideally be well-balanced, with the body of the ceramic teapot should not be too tall or wide. The bottom should allow the ceramic teapot to sit in a stable position.

A spout must be long enough and angled correctly to ensure that does not dribble when tea is poured and has a lid that fits firmly in its hole, even when being poured.

The teapot should also not be too delicate for use, or too heavy to lift. The handle of a ceramic teapot should be strong and ergonomically designed. The handle should be designed as thus to allow the handle to support the weight of both the tea and body when the ceramic teapot is in the pouring position.

A ceramic teapot should be able to pour tea in an elegant and graceful manner. Its appearance should also reflect its elegance. The walls of the ceramic teapot body should also be balanced. Thin walls will break, while thick walls will add unnecessary weight to the pot.

Antique tea sets and teapots are typically very expensive, so you have to have prepared to spend some handsome money.

Of course, it is possible to buy antique or collectible tea items at wholesale prices, but the trick is knowing where and how to look for.

Some people think that eBay is the actual online auctions for good pricing of antique tea sets and tea pots.

You have to do a long research work where to get the antique sets and collectible tea items at a much reasonable rate so it will be really nice and you can get lots of items you want to collect.

Also while buying things online you’ve got to choose the items from the category very carefully cause these antique items are for the very precious tea refreshing your mornings and afternoons.

Author: Kate Prescott

Kate Prescott is a professional cook and likes to experiment on various cuisines, recipe and refreshment drinks. She has been engaged doing research on antique tea sets and loose tea leaf that adds flavor to different connoisseur and contributes to maintain sound health conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Prescott

Antique Dishes

antique plates

Antique dishes are true eye catchers. They have become famous in every aspect. They are made of porcelain, china clay or silver plated. They are popular in heritage hotels in various countries. These kind of hotels maintain the rich and varied culture and heritage.

They have a traditional way of serving depending on their specialization and region. Cuisines are served in antique plates. This gives one a feeling of dining in a classic style. Most of the antique dishes are made of porcelain material.

This is a combination of kaolin clay and petuntse which is crystalline material. This kind of material is strong, highly resistant to stains, scratches and moisture damage.

This material is the reason why tableware made from it last long enough to become very old. Ancient table ware have been used by hotels to grab the attention of the clients. they are bound to attract anyone to the dining table when carefully placed on neat clean tables, in the correct symmetry.

The effect is even increased when matching cutlery, table cloth and table mats are used. Antique dishes are available in various shops and web sites.

However, there are some important considerations that one has to make before they purchase these items.

One needs to visit several shops so as to get an idea of what they should purchase. lternatively, one can consult experienced dealers, books or search in the Internet.

One should carefully avoid purchasing items that have flaws or cracks or any other blemishes that may not be visible to the eye.

Author: Peter Gitundu Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Antiques. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here ANTIQUES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu