Tea Pot

Accession Number
PG2020.2.27

Title
Tea Pot

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
Qing dynasty (18th century)

Medium & Support
soft paste porcelain with glaze

Dimensions
6 1/2 in. (16.51 cm)

Credit Line
Promised gift of William C. Weese, M.D., LSA ‘65

Subject matter
Tea is an important part of Chinese tradition. As Chinese society developed and progressed, tea production has played a role in driving economic development while tea consumption has remained a practice of daily life.
The history of Chinese tea is a long and gradual story of refinement. Generations of growers and producers have perfected the Chinese way of manufacturing tea, and its many unique regional variations.
The original idea is credited to the legendary Emperor Shennong, who is said to have lived 5 000 years ago. His far-sighted edicts required, among other things, that all drinking water be boiled as a hygienic precaution. A story goes that, one summer day, while visiting a distant part of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown substance was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created in 2737 BC.
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-tea/

Physical Description
Three legged, soft paste porcelain tea pot with spout, rou-y scepter on lid and six soft paste porcelain tea cups, six sided with interior and exterior incising.

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
drinking vessels
porcelain (material)
teacups
teapots

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved