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Collecting Teapots

Old, new, tiny, large, fun, serious, functional, or decorative -- all these terms can describe a teapot. Obviously teapots started out being functional, but somewhere along the way a little embellishment here or a little extra painting there, made the teapot more fun to use and, of course, more collectible
Teapots have been done in every possible design trend and most interestingly, the novelty design teapot was first introduced way back in the 1820s. (Although teapots in the shape of animals, flowers and reptiles have been made in Asia for many centuries.) More recently, the teapot, as in most facets of our everyday life, have gone through designs changes to reflect the art of a particular period. From the Overdone in the Victorian Age, to the Art Deco look in the 1930s, and Functional Modern in the 1960s, teapots styles reflected the taste of the era.

Old cottageware teapots are still easily found in antique stores and flea markets. This is one is marked "JAPAN". But many of the old cottageware pieces are from England.

Novelty and Whimsical teapots are always fun to add to a collection. If you specialize in Disney items, the Disney Stores or Parks will usually have one or two available. (The source for the Alice in Wonderland teapot and the Mickey Sorcerer.) Another source of Disney designs in teapots would be the Paul Cardew Collection.

If you are traveling in Tennessee, there is a small little museum in the city hall building of Trenton. A teapot collector willed his collection to the city and his collection is displayed there. If you are there when city hall is closed, just go next door to the Fire Station and they will give you a key to visit the Museum. How is that for being a friendly town? If you don't already collect them, consider Teapots as a collectible. You can find them in "sizes" to fit any space and in prices to fit any checkbook. Plus, you can always brew a great cup of tea and use them too!

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