The Exotic Teapot

Steampunk refers to the combination of sci-fi and exploratory fiction but… with fantasy undertones.  Additionally, this style focuses on the Victorian English era only as it relates to steam power.  These teapots, made by Michael Morarity are of this genre; it has a temperature gauge, spout cover, release key and percolation window.  Tea is placed in the top hatch; when the temperature is high, the release key that controls an internal seal is manually pulled then hot water percolates through.  This rotates the key as it percolates.

This teapot is just one of Bruce Noske’s astoundingly pierced designs which reflect the Victorian days of chintzes and Wedgewood but with a minimalist Oriental twist.  His pots are meticulously developed, all with similar shoulder, base, lid, unique handle and spout.  Because he has always enjoyed doodling, or sketching, patterns of leaves and animals, Bruce applies these to teapots via hand painted brushwork and slip carved decorations.

The pottery made in Tokoname City in Japan is known as Tokoname-yaki.  During the 12th and 13th centuries an estimated 3,000 kilns were built.  Today this pottery region, located on the Chita Peninsula, still has 1,200 ancient kilns in operation.  It wasn’t until the 19^th century that teapots were introduced.  By using rich red clay and artistic embellishments, tokoname teapots still remain durable, affordable and visually appealing.

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.    

Tea drinkers decorating for the holidays will especially appreciate these images this time of year.  All are vintage glass tea-ware ornaments.  If you haven’t a collection perhaps you should start; there are many wonderful antique teapot ornaments waiting for purchase on various bidding web sites, most likely admired by us tea fans.