Small teapots made using all types of ceramics are well suited to brewing tea since they are easy to maintain and excellent for heat retention. Since porcelain is the hardest and thinnest ceramic type and offers more design flexibility it is generally preferred for more refined and elegant teapots. Chinese and other Asian cultures have traditionally preferred small teapots which westerners refer to as “personal size teapots,” normally holding 2 cups of liquid. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, workers carried smaller “personal tea pots” to prepare tea throughout the day. Since tea was expensive, they brewed the same whole tea leaves several times storing them in their pots and simply adding hot water for tea breaks. Steeping in smaller pots had many advantages: it assured the tea was hot when poured, allowed maximum use of every leaf, limited bitterness and made brewing more precise since the water was infused with flavor faster and could be drained from the leaves all at once. Small volumes of water also provided more temperature control and allowed the tea to cool quickly for drinking. Drinking tea was and continues to be a very social and calming activity, and small pots encourage fellow imbibers to stay and continue conversation through many short infusions. In China and Japan small porcelain cat-shaped teapots have been very fashionable since the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Hand thrown and -painted Meiji single serving Kyo Ware teapot with luminescent crackled glaze and kiln seal. A chrysanthemum in a basket symbolizes longevity and rejuvenation. Kyo ware is limited, making it collected worldwide.
Small teapot with intricate cobalt blue chrysanthemum and bindweed designs widely used in late 19th century in domestic and export wares. Ball handle on lid.
Small antique Yixing teapot with small loops below rim indicating may have been used to suspend oil or soy sauce. Hand painted vibrant enamels with circular panels of floral and leaf decorations.
Brightly hand- painted enamel with fanciful floral and leaf decorations, this small teapot a has circular loop handle, short spout, flaring rim and small flat cover. Although Yixing ware considered the best for brewing tea, antique pieces are for decorative and collecting purposes only.
The Chinese characters within a circled seal in the mold on the bottom indicate this teapot is an antique. As the thin ribbon blue collar as wishes for long life, it is a perfect birthday gift. Recommended for decorative use only.
Porcelain cat teapot removable head, sinuous tail handle. Beautifully hand-painted whimsical ribbon-like blue collar, dangling ornamental bow, and the black accents. Likely Qing Dynasty circa 1900-1920.
Antique porcelain teapot, removable head, tail handle, and spout paw. Hand painted design with ribbon-like gold collar and dangling ornamental bow symbolizing long life. Great gift, recommended for decorative use only.
Porcelain teapot with removable head and long sinuous tail handle ,Whimsical design with green ribbon collar and dangling ornamental bow. Bottom stamp and seal date to Qing Dynasty/Chinese Republic ca 1900-1920.
Beautifully hand-painted whimsical cat tea pot with red collar ribbon, ornamental bow, and ball under left paw. Black, orange, red and blue accents on face, ears, head, paws and ball. Bottom double stamped seal.
Rotund porcelain teapot with removable head. With her pink highlights, round wide eyes, feathered brows and 3 part ribbon with bow she appears to be an affectionate female lap cat.
Unique rotund teapot of cat protectively sitting on a mouse. Raised paw spout, removable head and sinuous tail handle. Blue collar ribbon with bow symbolize long life. Black, pink, brown accents on face, ears, head, paws and body.
This charming vintage porcelain cat teapot with raised paw for pouring tea, removable head and a sinuous tail handle is whimsical and colorful with a red ribbon collar, green bow and green, black and red accents defining the expressive face, ears, head and paws, all beautifully hand-painted. Manufactures seal on bottom.
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