Artful Garden Teapots
Tea and Gardens Seem To Go Together
Something about the idea of tea in a garden whispers of zephyr breezes, blue skies, white fluffy clouds on a summers eve. With the soft waft of a rose’s fragrance, it is a perfect time to sit with a garden patterned teapot brimming with hot, amber colored tea and take a quiet break from the busyness of daily life.
Perhaps it is that connection in the mind between the pleasant quiet of a garden and the calming influence that comes with the warmth of the tea, but any day can seem like one that , however briefly, transforms into this early summer scenario.
One of my favorite ways to decompress and relieve stress is to sit down with a pot of hot tea made in a pretty pot, then pour the tea into one of my favorite teacups. Tea things don’t have to match , but I like the pots to handle and pour well, and for the cups to harmonize in style with the teapots.
This post is dedicated to taking a short time of repast with a pot of freshly brewed tea, perhaps a green or an Earl Gray; to step out into the garden and listen to softly buzzing bees, think creative thoughts, and experience the an oasis of time away from demands of tasks and obligations.
A welcome solitude, or an interlude with friends, but a time of refreshment and renewed perspective.
Chinese Garden Teapot
Teapot Thought
Strange how a teapot
Can represent at the same time
The comforts of solitude
And the pleasures of company
From Famous Franz Porcelain
This brand of porcelain work is noteworthy for its beauty of color and artistry. The teapots immediately draw attention because they look like works of art, and not for daily use. But for those who love to bring beauty into their homes, this is one of those kitchen items which serves as both art and use.
The company was founded by Francis Chen in Taiwan. There are accomplished artists who design and create many of the special collections.
Franz Porcelain Van Gogh Almond flower teapot Franz Fine Porcelain
Many of the designs are inspired by nature, so garden themed ware is frequently found in their collections.
Franz Porcelain Bamboo Song Bird Design Teapot
Franz Porcelain Long Tail Hummingbird Design Teapot
Birds on Franz porcelain may not be the ones found in your garden, but they are in a paradise type of garden somewhere in the world. The long tailed sylph hummingbird is a denizen of South America, in countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Their unusual feathers in such jeweled color makes the design a real standout.
Polish Garden Teapot – Polish Pottery
Colorful and decorative, this will bring a warm, bright spot to your decor. Made from Boleslawiec white clay. There are a number of different flower and colors in this line. They have the bright and cheery look of a grandmother’s garden. The decoration reminds me of spongeware for some reason; thought the painting is clearly done by brushwork..
Sunshine Yellow For Morning Teatime – Whimsical Hand Drawn Flowers
Yellow, kitchens, bright daisies – these are so cheering, which is what a breakfast cup of tea ought to be. The flowers look like they were hand drawn on a whim.
Porcelain Whimsical Flower Teapot for One Adorable Gift Golden yellow and whimsical – a bright spot of garden sunshine for a summer morning spot of tea.
The Teapot for One
For many of us, our teatime consists of sitting down on our own with a good cup of tea. A tea for one sized pot is just what we need for the way most of us order our days.
These pots, many made with their own matching teacup perched handily on board, hold just the right amount of tea for one sitting.
Do you collect teapots, too? I’m a little surprised how many do. Maybe you have a number of different types of pots all in one theme like the collection on this page.
I personally just like teapots, and use all mine in one way or another. There aren’t any special themes other than appealing to me because of the design or the special way they are made. I have some Japanese Tetsubin pots that are among my favorite.
I hope you enjoy this online “museum” of sorts as much as I do. Really, the art and variation of teapots even in one theme is astounding.
“All well-regulated families set apart an hour every morning for tea and bread and butter.”-Joseph Addison, 1711
Yixing Tea Pots – Chinese Garden Style
Yixing is pronounced “Yee-Shing”, and signals a very special kind of teapot. They are composed of zisha clay, a rare type of purplish clay found only in Yixing, China.
Yixing teapots are individually sized, so a person may have their own pot. the different colors of the designs are created through the addition of mineral pigments.
These are considered to be one of the finest tea brewing pots in the world. I had no idea about that when I bought one for my son and daughter-in-law. The subtle colors and the artful lizard as a lid handle are what intrigued me. The proportions and ornamental touches make one of the most aesthetically pleasing teapots of the many types found worldwide. At least in my estimation.
Over time, use will it impart a “tea brewed within tea”. This is due to the fact that Zisha clay is extremely porous and will absorb the flavor of tea and the insides of the teapots are left unglazed. Other qualities of this clay are an ability to retain heat, a freedom from toxic materials like lead, arsenic and cadmium ( sometimes found in other clays), and its ability to form the tight fit of the lid. The composition of this clay is mainly of quartz, kaolin, mica, with a high volume of iron oxide.
Made in a myriad of designs , many have a garden theme, some with charming little garden creatures like frogs, and lizards.
The Japanese Tea Garden – A Brief Overview of the Tea Garden Culture
Tea in the Japanese Garden by moonlightbulb, on Flickr
The Japanese developed a brilliant art form that unites a refinement of serving tea, the repose of a serene garden, and the calming effect of following ritual that creates a beautiful culture custom and an intriguing garden style.
The tea room (chashitsu) and the tea garden (roji) are a space for holding a tea gatherings. [1] In the tea garden, guests pass through the kuguri entrance, a small and narrow space. From there they follow a stone path which has a measured sequence to encourage thought and mindfulness of their progress. Continuing through a carefully landscaped space they come to a tsukubai, which is a stone wash basin. After washing their hands, the guests enter a low roofed teahouse. It is designed to replicate a traditional home, here the guests sit on tatami mats.The host pours ceremonially made tea for them in this calm and serene place.
The tea garden is called a roji, and it is a very important part of the tea ceremony. The Japanese name for this ceremony is chanoyu.
Tetsubin teapot – Japanese beauty, subtlety, and utility
I have two Tetsubin teapots. One is a black hobnail and one is a pink cherry blossom design which my son gave me for Christmas. I didn’t know that the designs had symbolic meaning, but Teavana has listed the meanings. My cherry blossom pot is the National flower of Japan, and it is a symbol for beauty; the hobnail design stands for strength. Strength and beauty! Those make a fine combination in my estimation.
The Tetsubin teapots are made of cast iron, and they should only be rinsed clean and wiped dry with a clean cloth. Like the Chinese clay pots they can retain tea flavors over time which add to the cachet of the teapot.
I find them to be an eye pleasing and well designed teapot, a joy to use and they pour beautifully. The cast iron retains heat and mine came with their own basket infusers for the loose tea which is brewed to perfection within them.
More history of the Tetsubin teapot from Teavana
Square Cast Iron Tea Set Dragonfly Black #ts6-06bk
Take Care of Your Teapot
Instructions For Cast Iron
Directions For Chinese ‘Purple clay’:
Tips For Ceramic Teapots
Vintage teapots
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” -Henry James
As long as the teapot is there on your shelf, learn to brew tea that goes into it properly. It isn’t difficult, it just takes some attention to the details, especially measuring amounts and getting the timing right.
How to brew a proper cup of tea:
Use fresh water each time you prepare tea.
Choose good tea.
Use 1-2 teaspoons per 8 ounce cup.
Heat water until it reaches a boil, let it cool just slightly then make your tea.
Tea leaves are steeped in the water for 1-3 minutes when making green or white teas. Five minutes for black teas.
Another set of instructions, here.
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For those who like P.O.D products like Zazzle:
If you design your own teapot, remember there are several products that can be matched to produce a set. There are mugs, plates, and a candy jar that could just as well be used to store tea or sugar.
In my home, there is a loose collection of teapots, not because I try to actively collect them, but there is just something I love about a teapot. Maybe it is the marriage of aesthetic form and usefulness. Or maybe I just think they are cute, and I enjoy pouring myself a hot cup of tea from a decorative pot.
Do you collect teapots?
