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The first teapots were made in China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). These were made of zisha which is a purpleish clay found in the YiXing region of China. The use of teapots spread first to Japan, the South and Asia before reaching Western Europe. The first European Teapots were designed to brew not only tea but chocolate and coffee as well.
From the 1700's, teapots were also made from silver. The earliest ones were globular shaped but eventually the became straight sided. Many silver teapots form part of a tea service. Pewter was also used during the Georgian era as many could not afford the luxury of silver.
Nowadays, teapots serve both practical and ornamental purposes so many novelty teapots are made. These can range from ceramic animals such as pigs or to elaborate "house" and "shops". Teapots make extremely practical items.
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An example of a Victorian Art Nouveau Fluted Silver Teapot. |