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Tea Sets: Japanese, Fine China, Porcelain, Miniature And Antique
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Published: July 31, 2007
The tea party. A staple of youth and innocence. Who does not remember donning Mom's polka-dot dress and long string of pearls or Dad's pinstripe suit and fedora hat, then proceeding to gather as many stuffed animals as possible, seat them at a round table, and toast each other with antique tea sets? These moments would create a sentiment that would last through youth, casual tea parties as adults and until old age, when sitting in a rocking chair sipping a cup of tea out of those same tea sets would trigger all those happy memories.
With such a rich, universal heritage, tea sets can be the common thread that brings families, different cultures and even the entire world together.
Tea sets have been bringing family and friends together since 206 B.C. The first evidence of tea sets dates back to China's Han Dynasty, when tea sets were made of white and blue porcelain. During this time, tea leaves and spices were crushed in a single bowl, and hot water was then poured into the bowl. It is thought tea was strictly used for medicinal purposes, and was not popular as a beverage until around 800 A.D.
The birth of the modern tea set is not documented until around 1000 A.D., during China's Song Dynasty, when archaeologists unearthed the remains of the world's first tea kettles. From this point on, tea and tea sets became a worldwide phenomenon, each country creating their own ornate styles of tea sets.
Today, standard tea sets consist of tea kettles, tea cups and saucers, sugar bowls and pitchers for milk or creamer. Tea sets are now made out of a variety of materials and in a number of styles, such as Japanese, porcelain, fine china and miniature, while some retain the style of antique tea sets. So whatever one's taste might be, there is a tea set for every price range and preference.
Although tea took nearly 1000 years to reach Japan after its discovery in China, Japanese tea sets boast some of the most exquisite and ornate details in the world. Japanese tea sets usually consist of tetsubins, the Japanese equivalent of tea kettles, tea cups and often a cooling vessel for the boiling water. Tea cups in Japanese tea sets are usually porcelain, and depict Japanese lettering or complex paintings.
Prices for Japanese tea sets vary, as ones including tetsubins can raise the price hundreds of dollars for the quality materials. However even on a budget tea enthusiasts can purchase discount genuine Japanese tea sets that will be an excellent conversation piece at his or her next tea gathering. Some of these affordable sets are available at the Garden Gifts website.
For those tea enthusiasts willing to spend a bit more money, fine china tea sets are a sure choice. Fine china tea sets are beautifully-crafted and usually made in England. They feature only the finest china found worldwide and exquisite decorative painting adorning each of the pieces. For those looking for quality and brilliance, fine china tea sets from the Coffee, Tea and Thee website are sure to impress.
If one does not plan on using the tea sets but rather wishes to use them for decoration, miniature tea sets would better suit his or her needs. Many miniature tea sets feature the same patterns, materials and beauty of regular tea sets on smaller scales. This makes them small enough to display on a mantle or in a china cabinet. Miniature tea sets add instant flare and sophistication to any room's decor and are a delight to look at. The miniature tea set from The English Tea Store website would be a lovely gift for a young child or a decoration for any room of the house.
From youth to antiquity, tea is a custom that can unite people all over the world. It is a custom rooted in history, with each country having different rites and traditions. Tea sets are an important part of that universal custom, with each area of the world using its own materials and designs to signify its uniqueness. Children, adults and those advanced in age will always share this common bond, and fondly remember the days when there was nothing better than dressing up for tea parties.
Sources:
"Tea." Wikipedia. 19 July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea.
"Tea Set." Wikipedia. 19 July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_set.
"Cherry Blossom Tea Set." Garden-Gifts.com. 19 July 2007. http://www.garden-gifts.com/dtea.htm.
"Aurora Deluxe Bone Chine Tea Set for Four." Coffee, Tea and Thee. 19 July 2007. http://www.he-and-she.com/english-china/tea-set-au rora4xg.html.
"Deluxe Porcelain Tea Set." The English Tea Store. 19 July 2007. http://www.englishteastore.com/deluxe-porcelian-te a-set.html.
Tea sets have been bringing family and friends together since 206 B.C. The first evidence of tea sets dates back to China's Han Dynasty, when tea sets were made of white and blue porcelain. During this time, tea leaves and spices were crushed in a single bowl, and hot water was then poured into the bowl. It is thought tea was strictly used for medicinal purposes, and was not popular as a beverage until around 800 A.D.
The birth of the modern tea set is not documented until around 1000 A.D., during China's Song Dynasty, when archaeologists unearthed the remains of the world's first tea kettles. From this point on, tea and tea sets became a worldwide phenomenon, each country creating their own ornate styles of tea sets.
Today, standard tea sets consist of tea kettles, tea cups and saucers, sugar bowls and pitchers for milk or creamer. Tea sets are now made out of a variety of materials and in a number of styles, such as Japanese, porcelain, fine china and miniature, while some retain the style of antique tea sets. So whatever one's taste might be, there is a tea set for every price range and preference.
Although tea took nearly 1000 years to reach Japan after its discovery in China, Japanese tea sets boast some of the most exquisite and ornate details in the world. Japanese tea sets usually consist of tetsubins, the Japanese equivalent of tea kettles, tea cups and often a cooling vessel for the boiling water. Tea cups in Japanese tea sets are usually porcelain, and depict Japanese lettering or complex paintings.
Prices for Japanese tea sets vary, as ones including tetsubins can raise the price hundreds of dollars for the quality materials. However even on a budget tea enthusiasts can purchase discount genuine Japanese tea sets that will be an excellent conversation piece at his or her next tea gathering. Some of these affordable sets are available at the Garden Gifts website.
For those tea enthusiasts willing to spend a bit more money, fine china tea sets are a sure choice. Fine china tea sets are beautifully-crafted and usually made in England. They feature only the finest china found worldwide and exquisite decorative painting adorning each of the pieces. For those looking for quality and brilliance, fine china tea sets from the Coffee, Tea and Thee website are sure to impress.
If one does not plan on using the tea sets but rather wishes to use them for decoration, miniature tea sets would better suit his or her needs. Many miniature tea sets feature the same patterns, materials and beauty of regular tea sets on smaller scales. This makes them small enough to display on a mantle or in a china cabinet. Miniature tea sets add instant flare and sophistication to any room's decor and are a delight to look at. The miniature tea set from The English Tea Store website would be a lovely gift for a young child or a decoration for any room of the house.
From youth to antiquity, tea is a custom that can unite people all over the world. It is a custom rooted in history, with each country having different rites and traditions. Tea sets are an important part of that universal custom, with each area of the world using its own materials and designs to signify its uniqueness. Children, adults and those advanced in age will always share this common bond, and fondly remember the days when there was nothing better than dressing up for tea parties.
Sources:
"Tea." Wikipedia. 19 July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea.
"Tea Set." Wikipedia. 19 July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_set.
"Cherry Blossom Tea Set." Garden-Gifts.com. 19 July 2007. http://www.garden-gifts.com/dtea.htm.
"Aurora Deluxe Bone Chine Tea Set for Four." Coffee, Tea and Thee. 19 July 2007. http://www.he-and-she.com/english-china/tea-set-au rora4xg.html.
"Deluxe Porcelain Tea Set." The English Tea Store. 19 July 2007. http://www.englishteastore.com/deluxe-porcelian-te a-set.html.
