Porcelain Cat Teapot, Chinese Republic (19420C)

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). 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).

This charming girl – we assume due to her pink highlights and three part ribbon with attached bow – has round wide eyes and feathered brows and appears to be what we would identify as an affectionate lap cat.

These charming tea pots enrich any space, and their symbolic wishes for a long life and good luck make them appropriate gifts for any occasion, especially birthdays. Excellent condition with normal dark dot-like firing imperfections and minor scratches from age and its use.

As with all antique teaware, we advise they be used only for decorative purposes. They make great kitchen accessories, and cat lovers will especially enjoy them.