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Chinese Teapots & Tea Sets

The drinking of tea has been an important part of Chinese culture for millennia. The origins of tea are said to date back to 2737 B.C., but the recorded practice of drinking tea dates back to the first century B.C. Since that time, the Chinese have long contemplated and perfected the art of tea drinking. In order to release the perfect flavors in a tea, the Chinese stressed the importance of having a good teapot.

Most traditional Chinese teapots were made of clay. This clay teapot went unglazed and was not universal. High-fired and less porous clay teapots were used for any kind of tea, but ideal for green, white, and oolong teas. Low-fired and more porous clay teapots were only used for black or red teas. Because the clay pots were unfired, the flavors of the tea would intentionally remain within the teapot, enhancing subsequent tea flavors over time.


Quick Facts

  • Particularly popular for tea-making is the Yixing teapot. The Yixing teapot is made of purple clay near the Yixing province of China, and was mostly used for black and oolong teas
  • In the Tang dynasty, tea became one of the seven essentials of daily life in China
  • There are two distinct kinds of Yixing teapots: one made from mud, and one made from the superior “stone” clay. Mud “earth grade” teapots were naturally colored white, and are often artificially colored to look like their darker stone-grade counterparts

Recommended Items at Auction

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ANTIQUE CHINESE TEAPOT, HAND PAINTED FIGURES, WITH CHARACTER MARK TO BASE
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
ANTIQUE CHINESE TEAPOT, HAND PAINTED FIGURES, WITH CHARACTER MARK TO BASE
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD10017 Bids
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CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE HAND PAINTED SQUAT TEAPOT WITH SIX CHARACTER MARK TO BASE
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE HAND PAINTED SQUAT TEAPOT WITH SIX CHARACTER MARK TO BASE
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD9011 Bids
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TWO CHINESE YIXING SIGNED TERRACOTTA TEAPOTS
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
TWO CHINESE YIXING SIGNED TERRACOTTA TEAPOTS
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD356 Bids
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SELECTION OF CHINESE ITEMS INC. OPIUM PIPE, TEAPOT AND BUDDHIST BELL
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
SELECTION OF CHINESE ITEMS INC. OPIUM PIPE, TEAPOT AND BUDDHIST BELL
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD655 Bids
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CHINESE CLOISONNE PUMPKIN SHAPED TEAPOT
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
CHINESE CLOISONNE PUMPKIN SHAPED TEAPOT
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD355 Bids
Antique Chinese Silverplate Signed Teapot
Feb 22, 10:00 AM MST
Antique Chinese Silverplate Signed Teapot
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$304 Bids
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TWO TIBETAN COPPER AND BRASS ITEMS, TEAPOT AND LIDDED POT
Feb 20, 9:00 AM AEST
TWO TIBETAN COPPER AND BRASS ITEMS, TEAPOT AND LIDDED POT
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD10- AUD40
AUD153 Bids
China, Republik-Zeit
Feb 22, 10:00 AM CET
China, Republik-Zeit
by Auktionshaus Mars
Est: €0- €0
€302 Bids
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A Fine Famille Rose Peacock Teapot
Feb 19, 10:00 AM CET
A Fine Famille Rose Peacock Teapot
by Veilinghuis de Jager
Est: €450- €900
€5002 Bids
A silvered Chinese dish and small teapot (Dia:11cm)
Feb 20, 1:00 PM AEDT
A silvered Chinese dish and small teapot (Dia:11cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD202 Bids
A DRAGON RELIEF SILVER TEAPOT, A SUGAR BOWL, AND A MILK JUG
Feb 20, 10:00 AM CET
A DRAGON RELIEF SILVER TEAPOT, A SUGAR BOWL, AND A MILK JUG
by Nagel Auction
Est: €900- €1,500
€6502 Bids
A green Chinese teapot with frog form lid (L:15.5cm)
Feb 20, 1:00 PM AEDT
A green Chinese teapot with frog form lid (L:15.5cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD202 Bids
19th C. Tibetan Repousse Copper Teapot, Makara Spout
Feb 21, 10:00 AM MST
19th C. Tibetan Repousse Copper Teapot, Makara Spout
by Artemis Fine Arts
Est: $600- $900
$3002 Bids
Chinese Silver Teapot with Jade and Stone Mounts
Feb 22, 9:30 AM EST
Chinese Silver Teapot with Jade and Stone Mounts
by Luban Antique
Est: $200- $900
$1001 Bid
TWO 'YIXING' / 'ZISHA'-WARE TEAPOTS AND A WATER CONTAINER
Feb 20, 10:00 AM CET
TWO 'YIXING' / 'ZISHA'-WARE TEAPOTS AND A WATER CONTAINER
by Nagel Auction
Est: €600- €1,000
€3001 Bid
(lot of 3) Chinese Yixing zisha teapots
Feb 22, 9:30 AM PST
(lot of 3) Chinese Yixing zisha teapots
by Clars Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
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Chinese Export Tea Pieces
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Chinese Export Tea Pieces
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $60
$101 Bid
Chinese Qianjiangcai Porcelain Square Tea Pot
Feb 22, 9:30 AM EST
Chinese Qianjiangcai Porcelain Square Tea Pot
by Luban Antique
Est: $50- $500
$201 Bid
Chinese Pewter Teapot with Jade Handle and Spout
Feb 23, 9:00 AM EST
Chinese Pewter Teapot with Jade Handle and Spout
by Montgomery Auction
Est: $400- $600
$1001 Bid
TWO 'FAMILLE ROSE' FIGURAL AND FLORAL PORCELAIN TEAPOTS
Feb 20, 10:00 AM CET
TWO 'FAMILLE ROSE' FIGURAL AND FLORAL PORCELAIN TEAPOTS
by Nagel Auction
Est: €400- €600
€2001 Bid
THREE CHINESE ZISHA TEAPOTS
Feb 25, 6:00 PM PST
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by O'Gallerie
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
A Chinese Polished Yixing Stoneware Teapot
Mar 05, 10:00 AM EST
A Chinese Polished Yixing Stoneware Teapot
by New England Auctions
Est: $750- $1,500
$1001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Teapots & Tea Sets


Waki Auction

Waki Auction

Veilinghuis Van Spengen

Veilinghuis Van Spengen

Mega International Auction

Mega International Auction