The History of Teawares

For as long as man has been drinking tea, the need for teawares has always gone hand in hand with the tea industry. From the first tiny Chinese Porcelain Teapots found in tea shipments, to the gorgeous Silver Teapots that were finely crafted in early England.

Tea drinking originated in China (2737 BC). The Chinese used to brew and sip their tea from cups or bowls. The first tiny teapots were made in the Chinese Province of Yixing and were made from red or brown stoneware. The great respect that the Chinese had for nature was also shown in teapots that were crafted in the shapes of animals, tree branches and bamboo.

The first European teapots were designed in the 17th Century. In the 18th Century, as tea became more popular in Europe, so too did the demands for tea equipage.

In the 17th Century

As tea consumption increased throughout England and Europe, 'cottage industries' of craftspeople began specifically making tea wares. In 1670 English Silversmiths were making finely crafted teapots in an attempt to find that perfect serving piece of tea equipage. It wasn't until the 1700's that they decided tea brewed best in round bodied or pear shaped teapots. Up until this time, the teapots used by Europeans had virtually straight up and down sides, like their counterparts, the coffee pot.

Staffordshire
It was in 1698 that Staffordshire Potters began making Teapots, Teacups and Saucers.They were made from red or brown Earthenware.

Brown Betty Teapots
The Brown Betty Teapot has a history that dates back to the end of the 17th Century. Still in production today, these teapots are made from Red Clay from the Bradell Woods area in Stoke-on-Trent. The English continue to be very fond of this distinct Brown Betty Teapot. It continues to be made in the same shape and from the original clay.

Tea chests containing tea shipments from China started to include beautiful and delicate pottery teapots. They were of course made from porcelain or china. These teapots inspired European Potters to create their own teapots from porcelain.

Teawares continued to be created specifically for the tea industry. Beautifully crafted small pear shaped teapots, tea kettles, cream jugs and sugar bowls became fashionable.

Many collectors from around the world today will tell of the delight of finding a piece of teaware from the past. Museums specifically for teawares and also private Collections are abound with the teawares that have helped us enjoy 'taking tea' for many hundreds of years.

Common Teawares or Tea Wares

Caddy Spoon Used to measure tea from a tea caddy.
Lemon Squeezer An item that you hold to squeeze a small wedge of lemon without using your fingers.
Milk/Cream Pitcher/Jug A vessel with a handle used to storeand serve milk or cream at teatime.
Serving Plates/Dessert Plates Decorated fine bone China used for serving the foods that accompany tea.
Sugar Bowl A small container, usually made of glass or china that is used to hold granulated sugar or sugar cubes. May or may not have a lid.
Sugar Tongs Small, delicate tongs used for serving sugar cubes at tea.
Tea Ball a hollow, perforated metal ball used to hold loose tea leaves whilst steeping tea.
Tea Caddy A small box for keeping tea, also known as a tea cannister.
Tea Infuser Usually made from a mesh, enable you to brew the loose tea and lift it out easily.
Tea Strainer A device for straining or filtering the tea leaves from your tea.
Tea Tray Used for carrying a teapot, teacups and saucers etc; when serving tea. 
Teabag Tongs Tongs to lift the used teabag from your teacup or teapot.
Teacup A cup in which tea is served.
Teakettle A kettle with a spout and handle in which water is boiled for making tea and other hot beverages like coffee.
Teapot A vessel used for making tea which has a spout, handle and lid.
Teaspoon A small spoon used for stirring tea and coffee.