Porcelain Cat Teapot, Chinese Republic (17022A-PLK) $135

$135.00

H: 6.5″ W: 6.5″ D: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

This charming porcelain a cat teapot with a raised paw has a removable head to pour liquid into the vessel and a long sinuous tail handle for pouring liquid  from the opening at the end of the paw. The design is whimsical and colorful with a thin green ribbon collar and an impressive dangling ornamental bow with black accents defining the face, ears and head.

Description

In China and Japan cats are often portrayed as small-teapots that provide individualized tea servings and better retain heat. White porcelain with a clear glaze was often the preferred pottery form for preparing tea as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (猫), the word for cat, is a homophone for octogenarian, it is a well-known Chinese longevity symbol (shou 壽). Qing dynasty and Chinese-Republic cat-teapots are often portrayed with a raised paw as its spout, a popular motif of a “beckoning cat” like the famous Japanese Maneki Neko widely used in feng shui, especially among Chinese merchants, as a greeting and welcoming gesture to promote and maintain positive energy (chi) and bring good luck and fortune into their store. These cats often have long ribbons (shoudai) around their necks, a homophone symbolizing longevity (shou 壽). These pouring-vessels that  enrich any space, especially a kitchen and their symbolic wishes for a long life and good luck make them appropriate gifts for any occasions like birthdays, housewarmings and weddings. Its condition is excellent with normal dark dot-like firing imperfections and minor scratches from age and its use. The stamp and seal on the bottom makes it likely an antique dating to the Qing Dynasty or the beginning of the Chinese Republic dating circa 1900-1920. As with any antique teaware, we advise they be used only for decorative purposes.

 

Additional information

Weight 5 lbs
Dimensions 14 × 10 × 6 in
Place of Origin

China

Period

Antique/Vintage Chinese Republic

Date

1912-1949

Materials and Technique

Porcelain

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 6.5" Width: 6.5" Depth: 3.5"

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 16.51cm Width: 16.5cm Depth: 8.89cm

Weight

1 lb

Condition

Excellent, age appropriate signs of wear

Item Number

17022A-PLK

Shipping Box Size