Tea is essentially a sacred practice in Britain, and so it’s no surprise that we have a fascination with all things tea. Today then, we’ll be taking a look at the five most valuable teapots in the world.
1. The Egoist
A teapot with a name is something to be taken seriously. The Egoist teapot was commissioned by the N. Sethia Foundation, a UK charity. It is coated in more than 1,600 diamonds and 386 Thai and Burmese rubies. Its handle is carved from mammoth ivory, and its body is created with 18 carat yellow gold and gold-plated silver.
Crafted by Italian jewellery, Fulvio Scavia, the teapot has been valued at £3 million, and has been awarded the title of the World’s Most Valuable Teapot by the Guinness World Book of Records. Nothing could possibly beat that value.
2. Pair of Famille Rose Melon Teapots
A pair of 1700s teapots formed in the shape of small, pumpkin-like melons sold at a Bonhams auction in Glasgow in 2011. The teapots sold for more than six times their value estimate, going for £1.6 million.
Sold to an anonymous Chinese collector, these teapots join the swathes of antiques purchased by the exponentially growing Chinese market. They are, without a doubt, one of the most expensive sets of teapots ever sold.
3. Yixing Zisha Teapot
One of many Asian teapots on this list, the Yixing Zisha teapot was crafted with purple clay in 1948. Created by widely-regarded master craftsman, Gu Jingzhou, the teapot takes a traditional shape, being low-sitting and typically elegant.
Wu Hufan created calligraphic engravings, and artist, Jiang Handing, made bamboo carvings that finished the teapot off completely. The Yixing Zisha teapot sold for £1.5 million in 2010 at the China Guardian auction in Beijing.
4. Yixing Stoneware Teapot
Another creation of Gu Jingzhou, the teapot placing at number four on the list sold during the Hong Kong auction held by Bonhams for £986,000 in 2013.
The stoneware teapot was made with red-brown clay, made to have an unglazed finish. The shape of the teapot is similar to that of the Yixing Zisha teapot, taking on a traditional Asian form that makes for a stunning tea accessory.
5. Pair of Famille Rose Coral-Ground Teapots
The pair of Famille Rose teapots were sold for £924,000. Chinese Imperial Qianlong Dynasty teapots, the family rose coral-ground teapots are dated to the mid-to-late 1700s. On either side of the teapots are landscapes of Chinese pastoral scenes, painted with blue and green tones.
Their flattened oval shapes of the bodies of the teapots make them unique. Alongside their decorations, it’s no surprise that a private collector from Hong Kong purchased them from a Christie’s auction.
How do I Know if my Teapot is Valuable?
If you’re aware that you have teapots in your house that could have value, the key thing to look out for is hallmarks and stamps. The main elements of valuable teapots is their condition, their age, and their maker.
Makers like Tiffany and Co. are well-known across the globe, and anything with the Tiffany & Co. hallmark on it is typically more valuable than more generic items of the same kind. There’s also the material to consider; porcelain, silver, and other metals are typically the most valuable materials.
Are Antique Teapots Safe to Use?
You’ll be delighted to know that the vast majority of antique teapots are completely safe to use today. The silver teapots available at AC Silver are all safe to use. Teapots from other places, however, are dependent mostly on their structural integrity.
Cover image courtesy of Free-Photos on pixabay through the pixabay license
