The Exotic Teapot

Imagine attending a party full of brainless ladies holding cups that have fingers and saucers that appear to have the ability to walk off the table.  The concept and sculpture is that of Ronit Baranga’s, created for his solo exhibition “Shells of Wings”.  Additionally, Baranga received honorable mention in the designbloom® “dining in 2015” competition for crafting finger walking teapots, cups and saucers.  Has the Mad Hatter Tea Party theme met its match?

Robert Lawarre grew up working in the family’s aerospace company.  This is where he learned to hand build parts like a machinist and fabricator.  When learning ceramics, he combined his previous skills to pottery.  Because of his appreciation for family traditions he chose to apply these aforementioned theories to Yixing teapots, bowls and cups.  His tea ware is a patchwork of surfaces made from discarded car belts to taillight lenses, which are then washed with multiple glazes.   

This contemporary, colourful 12-cup porcelain teapot is from the Franz Collection.  The luminescent blue, green, white and orange glazes are lead free.  And, even though the live peacock is awesome when exposing all its feathers, this teapot is as brilliant for its creative shape.   Each vessel is hand painted and stamped.    The collection also has a sugar bowl and creamer for a complete tea set.

This tea ware can be found at the Zhu Ye Qing Tea Museum and Garden in Emei City in the Sichuan Province of China.  The pot is actually quite nice; the other parts of the set are what make it somewhat peculiar.  Actually the base is a spoon holder: the spoon used to scoop tea leaves into the pot.  The ornate scooper, curvaceous teapot handle and etching on the thick base do compose an interesting tea set.    

The art of paper folding, origami is not as easy as it looks.  Just as throwing a teapot on a potter’s wheel, it takes much practice and patience.  The difference is the wheel is round like a teapot, cup or bowl and rotates in a circular motion to aid in the creation whereas the paper is folded on a flat surface to create a 3-dimensional object.  Taking on such a challenge likely requires a true fan of tea and is possibly not even chosen by the origami artist unless a passionate drinker.

If you like fuzzy or feathered creatures with a whimsical overtone and brilliant, glossy colours then you are sure to appreciate Lynda Corneille’s teapots, cups and sets.  From her studio in British Columbia, Canada, Lynda has been creating award winning, world-wide collectible ceramic pieces for 39 years.  This pot is from her series entitled “Sealed with a Kiss.”  The red-lipped kiss is on the bottom of each piece.  A great gift idea for cat and dog lovers!

This tea set, made of terra cotta, is best used for strong tea.  The reason being is that porous pots retain the flavour of previous seeped tea.  Actually you should have separate pots for teas based on: smoked teas, non-smoked, lighter teas, herbal and green.  Using separate pots maintain consistency in the flavour of your favourite brew.  China and porcelain pots are best used for oolong and green teas.

Sabine Bruner, featured in a previous blog, has a dear friend that also is a ceramic artist.  Even though now living in different continents, the two continue to appreciate each other’s tea ware.  Linda’s pieces are simple but elegant.  She uses glazes that are satiny smooth.  She interchanges the exterior and interior of the vessels with subtle tones.  Notice the unique shape of the teapot spout and minor dimples in the cups...what a nice touch.

Like Marian Baker most artists love what they do.  This is one reason she makes teapots, cups and sets.  The other reason: to enrich the lives of others with functional art.  Marian sees them as "a bridge between art and daily life." Her glazes of earth tones with Japanese influenced form are utterly soothing.  There are numerous pieces to admire on Marian’s website, none for purchase. 

There are many reasons to select tea and associated wares as a gift set.  The gift card to the recipient(s) and the chosen items in the set can easily be catered to his/her personality.  Here are just three of many options when personalizing a gift set.

1. For the health conscious friend gift card:  You are what you drink (include green, white or herbal teas)
2. For the one that schedules too many activities:  There is always time for tea (include single mug infuser)
3. For the optimist card:  With this gift, each day will blossom (include clear glass teapot with flowering tea)