Sparkling Sterling Silver Teapot Jewelry: Teapots History and Symbolism
Teapots are essential for preparing your best-loved cup of tea! These gorgeous and impressive drink wares are also the picture-perfect mantelpiece, and it has been around for ages. Interested to know the rich history and exciting origin of teapots? Let’s dive in together to trace the teapot journey through the generations.
By tradition, teapots are means or vessels used to soak tea leaves or other herbal leaves in hot water. A teapot is often depicted with a handle, spout, and lid: a handle is to hold on the vessel; a spout is where the liquid is flowed out from; and a lid that can be taken off when water and tea leaves are added to the pot and put back on steeping process.
Its History and World Heritage
Chinese Teapots
The teapot saga can be traced back to China as it was a well-known place and has been a recognized pioneer in the tea industry. In fact, up to this date, the largest producer and exporter of tea.
Before the invention of teapots, tea was then emanated in bricks, and a chunk was cut off, broken up, and boiled in water. The loose leaf was simmered in cauldrons, and then the tea was sipped from a wide bowl.
Truth be told, teapot-like vessels have been around in China for ages, but they were utilized for wine drinking. These vessels had a spout and handle and eventually were adopted for the steeping of the tea. With the recognition and reputation of the loose-leaf tea came the need for an apparatus that would take hot or boiling water and tea leaves so that it could steep. Hence, it was about the end of the Sung dynasty (1271-1368) that the necessity of a conventional teapot was first thought to meet up with the delicacy and elegance of the whole tea brewing process. This historical breakthrough was first recorded in some historical texts around 1500 AD and was named the Yixing teapots. These teapots originated from Jiangsu province and were colored in either red or purple. These so-called Yixing teapots became more popular up to the Ming dynasty (17th century). In fact, up to this date, Yixing teapots remain China's gold standard for brewing vessels, and the city Yixing continues to produce this famous teapot.
Japanese Teapots
The traveling monks from China were the ones who first introduced the concept of tea-drinking to the Japanese. These monks were used to sip green tea to stay conscious and awaken during their long hours of concentration and meditation. At some point, you could tell they were the first stamina players of kinds that may explain why professional athletes today still use caffeine derived from green tea in sports drinks.
Eventually, Japanese people established fondness and liking for this hot brew drink that they even asked and invited Chinese artisans to teach them how to make earthen teapots like those made in Yixing. With this, Raku, the famous Japanese pot for making tea, is developed. This unique teapot was handmade in the province of Bizen.
As time went by, teapots developed and involved themes from nature. Japanese teapot is usually known as Kusu, while the teapot obtained from Yixing was called cha-hu. In Japan, many shapes and designs are developed with either the side handle or the handle at the rear.
Indian teapots
Tea was first presented as a hot drink to India by the British rulers during the reign of Queen Victoria. Before this, local Indians were using the tea plant called Camellia Sinensis for medicinal purposes only. With this, it became the primary justification for the resurgence of tea as a health drink during the last few years of the British colony.
Tea only became popular among the Indian masses as a recreational drink during the first half of the 20th century. Today, India continues as the leading producer and consumer of tea globally, but their tea is mainly brewed in aluminum or stainless steel and served in cups or mugs made of porcelain or ceramic. However, tea is still consumed in earthen pots or cups made of red clay in some parts of India. By tradition, local Indians utilized teapots made of bone or porcelain during festivals and formal functions. On the other hand, a glass teapot and glass cups were used at special ceremonies to positively impact guests. Nevertheless, the craze among the younger generation is a more practical tea set to impress their friends.
English teapots
Initially, the East India Company traded in Chinese green tea along with spices and other exotic food from Asia in the 17th century, and by that time British public became familiar with tea from China. Because they thought that these Chinese green teas would not remain fresh due to long sea voyages, they soon developed black teas that hurled the commencements of the traditional English breakfast tea.
The British traded in tea and teapots as they did not know how to manufacture high-quality bone pottery teapots fabricated in China. These earthen teapots became so prevalent and fashionable that people started to collect them, and they were described as pots from the East Indies.
By the middle of the 18th century, English craftsmen learned to make up porcelain teapots with magnificent designs over them. Because of this innovation, a new industry blossomed in Stoke City that became the de facto capital of English teapots. In fact, the local football club in Stoke City F.C. is still labeled "The Potters" as a reference to the city's teapot-making legacy.
When the concept of afternoon tea became widespread and trending by the 19th century that the local English craftsmen began to create beautiful teapots and collectors searched and gathered the best vintage tea sets. It was in Germany that first tried to make earthen teapots like teapots imported from Asia. The first attempt to make it to soft-paste porcelain was delicate and often broke when hot tea was poured into them. Eventually, the development in making teapots was accomplished in France, where they also embellished these first teapots with elaborate baroque designs.
Different Types of Teapots
Another frequently asked question by tea-lovers is which teapot is the best? Did you know that every teapot possesses unique characteristics and advantages over other kinds? Keep on reading to learn more and have the best type of teapot for you.
Ceramic Teapots
This has been in existence for over 11,000 years featuring traditional designs and simple elegance to a broad range of tea enthusiasts. Some ceramic teapots have intricate designs that usually come with a matching set of cups.
Ceramic teapots are specifically built to offer high heat retention, making them perfect for black tea brewing. Although these teapots keep hot tea longer, they can be easily managed without any kind of peril of burning yourself and usually showcase a handle that is cool to the touch.
These teapots are often sold in neutral colors that are versatile enough to blend in with many décor styles and preferences. They are meant to be lightweight, which makes them user-friendly for everyone. If you regularly enjoy just one type of tea, a ceramic teapot is perfect for you.
Stainless Steel Teapot
Stainless Steel teapots are new to the scene but have already had quite an impression. The streamlined look of stainless steel and the wide assortment of designs make them the first choice among tea drinkers looking for a teapot with more of a contemporary panache that is also highly functional and has exceptional features. The visual appeal of stainless-steel teapots is one of the biggest reasons they are so popular. Their advantages extend far beyond looks, however.
Stainless steel is highly resilient and very repellent to corrosion. Stainless steel also supports excellent heat retention and conduction, making it favorable to heat the stove and hold the tea after it's been brewed.
Recently, the stainless-steel teapots have been built with vacuum technology responsible for keeping the tea hot for an extended period so that other teapots can't come close to matching. These pots are appropriate for brewing and drinking multiple tea flavors, as the flavors can easily be cleaned away after use and will not remain implanted in the pot.
Glass Teapot
Glass teapots are made from borosilicate glass, which is known for its clarity and heat resistance. These teapots became the top choice for brewing loose leaf teas. Glass teapots have a distinct advantage over the others, which is the apparent characteristic of seeing-through. This lets you have an appetizing experience during the brewing process and provides a clean and clear visualization for you and your guests. The act of visually seeing the tea leaves unbend and precipitous makes for a soothing experience while also generating pleasure for the brewing to be complete. Examining the brewing through glass also facilitates one to determine the desired strength of the tea.
Glass teapots are strong enough to heat the water, as the borosilicate composite is well-capable for high temperatures. The glass material allows the pot to easily be used for multiple tea types without fear of retaining flavors. Also, it constitutes an attractive aesthetic appeal that everyone loves as it easily blends into any kind of décor.
Glass teapots are famous among tea enthusiasts because of their appearance and effectiveness in brewing. If you need a modern look combined with great functionality, a glass teapot is your best bet.
Its Symbolism
For many of us, a teapot implies more than an ordinary vessel for brewing and pouring tea. The teapot is an emblem of friendship, of telling stories and confiding in each other. The teapot sits between your circle of friends, dutifully keeping your favorite tea warm, listening to your conversations without telling anyone what it may hear. With this perception, teapots eventually signify treasured moments of solitude. At the same time, like your friend and the tea itself, your favorite teapot represents pure joy, comfort, and reassurance.
Conclusion
For any genuinely enthusiastic tea lover, a good teapot (or two) is the necessary equipment to have at home. While it's valuable to get the proper teapot to guarantee the tea is brewed optimally from a tea expert point of view, but why not also get yourself a piece of funky and trendy teapot jewelry as well. Check out this fantastic collection of handmade sterling silver jewelry collection featuring adorable tiny teapots. Any of these nature-inspired sterling silver jewelry pieces offer both casual and elegant looks, so you can wear tea jewelry everywhere you go!
Square Teapot Earring
The Square Teapot Earring is miniature sterling silver jewelry that suits your tea-loving personality. This fabulous pair of earrings are handmade with love by our creative artisans and made a teapot design out of an aventurine stone. This Aventurine sterling silver jewelry is a perfect fit for your date-night outfit or casual dress.
Teapot Jewelry Sterling Silver Collection
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| Teapot Ring | Teapot Ring II |
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| Teapot Earring | Teapot Earring II |
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| Teapot Pendant | Teapot Pendant II |
Believe it or not, any of this charming little Teapot Jewelry piece is handmade with love by our creative artisans and designed as a stunning teapot out of genuine amber. The sterling silver complements well with the natural amber. Grab any of these and pair it up with its match ring and pendant. These handmade silver tea jewelry pieces are standout collector's items, and each one is a conversational piece starter.
Find the right tea jewelry perfect for any ensemble at Lotus Fun and have your favorite next sterling silver jewelry piece delivered securely and safely at your doorstep.
With any luck, we hope this blog has sparked your interest in teapots. At the very least, we hope we give you some more things to talk about over afternoon tea on Sunday or some ideas to add to your Christmas or birthday list this year, such as our stunning tea jewelry collection.
