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Tea Pots

Tea pots have become a fundamental part of tea ware around the world. It is believed the oldest tea pots were Chinese liquor decanters which had been part of the culture for many centuries. The material used for tea pot production is diverse reflecting local customs, availability, fashions and budgets. Copper, iron, steel, silver and even gold have been popular metals, for many silver and iron are some of the best materials for the perfect cup.

In the West, porcelain become the dominant material of choice, there are many reasons for this, though it is argued that the primary factor was that porcelain was excellent, low cost ballast for the ships of the day. Initially much of the ballast was discarded on arrival, though soon companies such as East India company saw the opportunity to make additional profits to those from the primary cargo's of silk and tea. Fine Chinese ceramics were the talk of European cities throughout the 17th century. Ceramics offered people a taste of the exotic far east and a fashion soon grew, with it desire for new ever changing designs. Tea sets became increasingly extravagant, bring new complex rites and etiquette.

Fine imported China ware was out of the reach of the majority, which brought about local European potters emulating the wares. The stone and earthen wares were much courser than the Chinese though this encouraged the use of imaginative glazes. Many potters strived to find the secret to the delicate Chinese porcelain, but it was not until the start of the 18th century that Josiah Spode formulated bone China which was change European production. During the 17th and 18th century many of the famous names of European wares rose to become household names, including Delft, Meissen, Sevres and British firms Derby, Minton and Worcester. Possibly one of the most influential family's on British porcelain, were Wedgewood. Their innovation brought about the industrialisation of porcelain and refinement of hard paste porcelain which was to even more closely replicate the pure whites of China's famous wares.

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