Do you ever wonder about the first teapots and what they were like as you are pouring yourself a cup of tea from your lovely porcelain teapot? Historians aren't 100 percent sure where the teapot originated.

One theory states that in the sixteenth century, Chinese potters in a town called Ishing created small, individually sized teapots which were given the name "Boccarro" by the Europeans who discovered these pots amongst the various teas that had been shipped to their country from China. It's said that they used the Boccarro, which means "large mouth" in Portuguese, as a model for some of the initial teapots created in Europe.

Another theory discounts the Chinese history, and states that those in China did not even use teapots! Rather, they brewed their tea right in the cup that they drank it from, so no pot was necessary. This seems feasible, as you can still see this technique used in certain Chinese restaurants.

The First Teapot?

Yet another explanation for the first teapot has been drawn from 16th century Europe coffeehouse practices. A type of Islamic coffee pot was hugely popular during this period, and it is believed that the first teapots were designed to look like this pot.

Also, the Chinese had developed a container to be used for holding wine that was to be served at table. This was called a wine vessel, and it was shipped to the European countries stuffed with native Chinese tea leaves in order to hopefully prevent breakage during its long journey.

Many people were unsure as to the original purpose of this container, and assumed that since it arrived full of loose tea that it was meant to be used with the tea! The rounded shape of the wine vessel set the pattern for a good many of the teapots that were later produced in Europe.

Porcelain Comes of Age

It wasn't long after this that teapots began to come out of Europe, but they were quite different from what we think of as teapots today! They were created out of a very heavy pottery material and had replaceable spouts, for this was a part of the teapot that often got broken.

Some imaginative designs also saw the light of day, such as pots shaped as plants and animals. However, due to the quality of the workmanship and of the pottery that was popular then, these were not considered to be good quality teapots at all.

About this time, a new type of porcelain was discovered in Europe that was clearly of a higher quality than ever before. It even rivaled the fine porcelain China was known for! Teapots began to come into their own then, and were designed with ornate handles and spouts to complement their rounded shapes.

The middle class people of Europe began to clamor for more and more teapots, as they had gotten wind of how those of the upper classes enjoyed afternoon tea each day, and wanted to mimic them.

This is when such famous porcelain manufacturers such as Spode and Wedgwood began to create their beautiful pieces, and the first silver tea services also came into the picture, with a young Paul Revere as one of the best known silversmiths of that time. The silver teapots were made in various shapes, including a lovely drum shape, and some had feet to help protect the tabletops.

Novelty Teapots

Teapots during the 1800s were noted for being quite different from any previous styles! They were designed in all sorts of "arty" styles that reflected the popular arts and crafts of the Victorian era. Art Nouveau, Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and others were appreciated for their novelty alone.

This type of teapot continued to be made until around the 1920s, when people began to prefer function over form, and wanted to use a plainer teapot. But the 1930s were the age of Art Deco, and this was reflected in the teapots of that time. Designed to look like such items as airplanes, race cars, and trains, they were quite colorful and quite appealing!

During World War II, people made do with the teapots they had. Not very many teapots were manufactured during the war, as most factory production had been changed from the usual products to anything and everything to help a country in the midst of war.

The 1960s saw function return to teapot design once again, as the clean lines of a style called Modernism was all the rage. History repeated itself in the 1970s as many different types of what were dubbed as novelty teapots burst onto the scene. Teapots were shaped like dogs, cats, apples, spaceships... almost anything could appear as a teapot design!

Full Circle

From the 1980s until the present, tea connoisseurs have welcomed a return to the classic teapot styles of yesteryear. Many designs from the 17th and 18th century have been reproduced so that they can be enjoyed on our modern tea tables today.

Teapots have a rich and fascinating history. Today, you can find teapots in all shapes, sizes and colors, which is a tribute to the many different designs that were available throughout the years.

Ornament Tibet silver dragon red porcelain teapot pot W695    US $.01

Collectible Chinese Tibet silver green jade teapot    US $.01

CHINESE OLD SILVER PORCELAIN DRAGON MONKEY LID TEA POT 4    US $.69

VINTAGE FLINTRIDGE CHINA TEAPOT blue gray SILVER TRIM MADE IN CA USA    US $19.99

Bombay Company Teapot Blue White pattern with Metallic Silver around edges    US $12.99

CHINESE OLD JADE TIBET SILVER TEA POT MONKEY    US $.87

Mixed 925 sterling silver Necklace Bracelet earring charms beads pendant eardrop    US $3.31

Cute mini Teapot 925 Sterling Silver charms earring Pendant eardrop 8x10mm sa69    US $.06

Authentic Chamilia Sterling Silver Tea Pot GA 38    US $35.00

10 Sets Silver Tone Teapot Charm Bead Caps Set 19x15mm    US $2.85

Free Shipping 20pcs tibetan silver teapot pendants 20mm    US $1.29

W Rogers 800 Silver Tea Pot    US $.99

Art Deco Asprey London Silver Plated Heating Stand With Coffee Teapot    US $493.00

Free Shipping 200pcs tibetan silver teapot Charms 19x17mm    US $11.99

2pcs Silver tea pot bead for European bracelet Xmas gift charm free shipping 3Y9    US $.99

20 pcs dark silver teapot charm beads h5015    US $.99

2326 Im a little Teapot 3D Charm Pendant Silver Jewelry    US $13.55

rare Chinese Tibet silver dragon beautiful Teapot pot    US $51.99

Teapot Sterling Silver Small Charm Tea Pot EC791C    US $10.69

20pcs Antique Silver Teapot Charms CC0426 Free Shipping    US $.99

Bedouin Coffee Teapot Rogers Bros Meriden Nickel Silver Soldered Middle Eastern    US $55.99

ANTIGUE C1844 HM SILVER TEAPOTSET BY WILLIAM HUTTON    US $1,600.00

Chinese Carved Tibet Silver Dragon Porcelain Teapot    US $.01

Chinese Tibet silver porcelain carved teapot    US $.10

STERLING SILVER TEAPOT SPONGE CORAL BEAD CLIP ON CHARM    US $29.12

Free 100pcs tibet silver Teapot charms 19mm    US $7.99

Pandora Charm Tea Pot Rose Bouquet Cupcake Bead ALE 925 Silver 14K Gold Authenti    US $127.50

Can collect the Tibet silver porcelain carved teapot    US $19.96

Fashion unique teapot shape handbag purse on sale    US $56.00

collectibles tibet silver green jade 12 animals dragon Spout Decoration teapot    US $22.00

Tibet Silver Red Jade dragon Teapot pot ┢┦aΡ��y 7    US $.20

TANG DYNASTY ANTIQUE CHINESE PITCHER JUG WINE TEA POT SILVER GOLD OLD CHINA EWER    US $5,999.99

TANG DYNASTY ANTIQUE CHINESE PITCHER JUG WINE TEA POT SILVER GOLD TANKARD CHINA    US $4,999.99

TANG DYNASTY ANTIQUE CHINESE PITCHER JUG WINE TEA POT SILVER GOLD OLD CHINA RARE    US $3,300.00

Rare tibet silver jade serpent figurine censer teapot ┢┦aΡ��y 16    US $.20

TIBET SILVER DRAGON OLD BLUE PORCELAIN flagon TEA POT    US $.91

BS 43 Authentic Biagi Silver Teapot    US $15.95

Free Shipping 10pcs tibetan silver teapot bookmarks    US $7.99

REED BARTON ART NOUVEAU DECO SILVER PLATE TEA POT    US $470.00

exquisite tibet silver purple porcelain engraving gecko monkey statue teapot    US $.01

30pcs Tibetan silver Different of teapot pendant    US $.99

YELLOW PORCELAIN ANIMAL CARVE TIBEI SILVER TEAPOTS    US $.21

Solid Silver Octagonal Tea Pot 1934 219 Troy Oz Queen Anne or George 1st Style    US $1,980.38

Tribal tibet silver sculpture teapot Tea Pot 3    US $.69

FREE SHIP 10pcs Tibetan silver teapot charms pendant 19X145MM BE638    US $.99

New teapot 925 Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings SE225    US $.01

Rare tibet silver red jade dragon teapot pot monkey    US $1.99

Pretty tibet silver dragon phenix blue porcelain teapot    US $1.99

Collectible tibet silver tiger red porcelain teapot    US $1.99

Collectibles Tibet Silver Porcelain Teapot    US $1.99

10 Silver Tone Teapot Dangle Beads Fit Charm Bracelet    US $7.55

Chinese Tibet Silver Red jade Dragon Teapot    US $1.99

Chinese Tibet silver jade red carved teapot    US $1.99

Chinese Tibet Silver jade Dragon Teapot    US $1.99

Chinese Tibet Silver green Inlay Porcelain teapot    US $1.99

Tibet Silver Armored Dragon Tea Pot Monkey Lid 3    US $.69

Rare Chinese Tibet Silver Inlay Porcelain teapot    US $.01

Beautiful tibet silver green jade lion monkey teapots    US $1.99

free ship 12pcs tibetan silver teapot charms 13mm    US $.99

Collection of beautiful Tibet silver porcelain teapot    US $.22

Beautiful Tibet Silver Eight Buddha China ware tea Pot    US $1.99

Excellent jade inlay silver animal Decorative tea pot    US $.99

China Jade Inlay Tibet Silver Carved Dragon Teapot    US $1.99

40pcs tibetan silver teapot charms 19x14mm    US $.99

TIBET SILVER OLD RED JADE inlay DRAGON TEAPOTS    US $.01

RARE VINTAGE UK STERLING SILVER TEAPOT CHARM Opens to Green Enameled GENIE    US $75.00

Free ship 10pcs tibetan silver teapot charm pendants    US $.99

4 PCS TIBETAN SILVER 2CM TEA POT CHARMS PENDANTS    US $1.57

Chinese Tibet silver porcelain carved teapot    US $.22

tibet silver monkey dragon green jade teapot pot    US $.22

F S 4Pcs Bronze Tibet Silver teapot Charms41x42mm    US $4.99

15 sets Antique Silver Cute Teapot Bead frames TS4281    US $1.57

Free ship 6pcs tibet silver teapot charms pendants    US $.99

Old coffee or tea pot World Silver Copper not sure of age or composition    US $9.99

Excellent tibet silver red porcelain teapot    US $.02

TIBET MONKEY LID ARMORED SILVER PLATED OLD JADE TEAPOT    US $.99

Rare Chinese old monkey lid armoured silver plated and porcelain teapot    US $.99

FREE SHIP 10pcs Tibetan Silver NICE Teapot Charms SH638    US $.99

HARTFORD CO QUADRUPLE PLATED STERLING SILVER 1914 ANTIQUE TEA POT    US $60.00

50pcs Tibetan Silver Nice Teapot Charms Pendant 14mm    US $4.99

Beautiful Chinese Old Tibet Silver Dragon Jade Tea Pot Flagon L020440    US $.79

Free ship 6pcs bronze color teapot charms tibet silver    US $.99

F126302Pc Tibetan Silver Teapot Charms Pendant Bead Finding Loose    US $.99

Unique china Yellow silver teapots porcelain Tibet pot    US $.01

Tibet Silver Engraving Dragon Red Jade Teapot L020456    US $.57

WABI SABI Japanese Tea Pot Kama Furo Chagama Tetsubin Sterling Silver MT FUJI    US $4,600.00

Collect exquisite Tibet Silver Eight Immortal Teapot pot    US $.99

preeminent Tibet silver fortune adorable pig figure teapot    US $.99

PUGSTER® BEAD TEAPOT SILVER CHARM FOR BRACELET A64    US $.99

Sterling Silver 3D Tea Teapot Kettle with Heart Charm    US $24.99

Beautiful Chinese Tibet Silver green jade Teapot    US $.10

Rare Chinese Tibet silver porcelain carved teapot    US $.01

VINTAGE SILVER TONE TEA POT PENDANT CHARM TEAPOT    US $11.39

China Jade Inlay Tibet Silver Carved Dragon Teapot AA    US $.01

View Page:   1

	Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle List Price: $185.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $68.73
	This Cuisinart Perfectemp Cordless Electric Programmable Kettle offers latest innovation for this product category%2E Heating water will never be easier with this handsome brushed stainless steel kettle%2E Great for making tea%2C hot chocolate or instant soups%2E It will quickly bring 1%2E75 quarts of water to a boil and then turn itself off%2E

	Stainless Steel Tea Ball and Tea Strainer,by Progressive International
	Progressive International's tea ball and strainer help you cutback on wasteful tea bags - or the paper mugs and sleeves come with a trip to the coffee shop. Plus, you can also save money by buying loose tea in bulk...

	Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch Cordless 8 Cup Electric Kettle List Price: $64.99 Sale Price: $43.88 Used From: $38.27
	Hamilton Beach 40898 Electric Kettle 40898 1268

	Nothing is Real...: Music by Alvin Lucier List Price: $26.98 Sale Price: $16.85 Used From: $23.90

	Small Silver Teapot Accent Table Lamp List Price: $0.00 Sale Price: $35.00
	Perfect for a kitchen counter, dining room chest, on a desk or a shelf, the teapot shape has an intrinsic warmth and whimsical feel.

	Emenee MK1055 Gatherings Teapot 2" Knob
	Emenee unique collection of knobs and pulls from classical to whimsical, you're sure to find the perfect finishing touch right here, Also available in many different finishers.

	Vintage Silverplate Teapot One-of-a-Kind Table Lamp Sale Price: $210.00
	A true collectible, this vintage silverplate teapot table lamp is a one of a kind accent piece.

	10x Tea for Two Teapot Tea Infuser Wedding Favors and Bridal Shower Favors Sale Price: $59.95
	This Beautiful Stainless Steel Tea Pot Tea Infuser is great as a gift for Tea Parties. Not only will the beautiful gift packaging impress your guests, it's also a very practical and re-usable gift. This is perfect for every occasions such as weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, etc...

	1x Tea for Two Teapot Tea Infuser Wedding Favors and Bridal Shower Favors Sale Price: $5.95
	This Beautiful Stainless Steel Tea Pot Tea Infuser is great as a gift for Tea Parties. Not only will the beautiful gift packaging impress your guests, it's also a very practical and re-usable gift. This is perfect for every occasions such as weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, etc...

	1x Tea for Two Teapot Tea Infuser Wedding Favors and Bridal Shower Favors Sale Price: $6.99
	This Beautiful Stainless SteelTea Pot Tea Infuser is great as a gift for Tea Parties. Not only will the beautiful gift packaging impress your guests, it's also a very practical and re-usable gift. This is perfect for every occasions such as weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, etc...