To the rest of the world the British obsession with tea seems bizarre,
but the love affair has produced a whole range of interesting collectibles,
none more so than the novelty teapot.
Pictured right is a Wedgwood
and Whieldon Cauliflower teapot.
Tea reached Britain in the early-18th Century and was highly priced, initially
thought of as a herbal remedy. Even from this early period the Staffordshire
potteries produced teapots in the shape of houses, camels, squirrels and
monkeys. Wedgwood and Whieldon produced one of the most famous range of
teapots of the mid-18th Century which were shaped as garden vegetables
and fruit.
The popularity of novelty teapots grew and in the 19th Century other companies
began producing fine teapots notably Minton who came out with classic
designs such as the Chinaman, the Monkey and the Tortoise.
Pictured
left is a modern version of the classic Tortoise Teapot produced by Minton
originally in 1870.
The Belleek 'Echinus' Pattern was a popular style from the late 19th Century,
based on the spiny sea urchin and pieces of coral. Teasets were produced
in various colourways from the first and second Belleek periods (1863-1890,
and 1891-1926) and these are the most sought after. Another famous teapot
was produced by Worcester in 1881 'The Aesthetic teapot'. This teapot
satirizes the art movement led by Oscar Wilde and features a young man
on one side and a woman on the other.
Novelty teapots have been produced throughout the 20th Century and have
covered a variety of subjects from Dicken's characters to wigwams. Traditional
subjects have been popular throughout: thatched or timbered houses, and
animals. Leading companies include Sadler's, Beswick and Price's.
Pictured
right is a classic James Sadler teapot from the 1930's 'The Aeroplane'.
Many designers have produced one-off and limited edition teapots. Clarice
Cliff produced the famous 'Teepee Teapot' in the early 1950s. Although
produced after her famous work of the 1930s it is still one of the most
collectible of all novelty teapots. The 'Teepee Teapot' is pictured left
and was produced for the Canadian market. It features a totem pole for
a handle, a chief wearing headdress as the spout, and also has as decoration
maple leaves.
Novelty teapots are still popular today with many of the traditional companies
such as Minton, Sadler and Royal Albert still producing pots.
Cardew Design are probably the leading manufacturer of novelty teapots
in the world today. Designer Paul Cardew has brought the designs of novelty
teapots forward with some very clever teapot designs.
Pictured
right is the Lifebelt teapot which was the 1999 Cardew Collectors Club
free gift.
Teapots from Cardew which have only been out of production for a few years
such as 'The Cactus' are already fetching a premium on the secondary market.
Other
independant designers such as Tony Carter of Carters Teapots has created
a wealth of novelty teapots to collect.
Pictured
left is a Tony Carter 'Ship Teapot'.
Collectors of teapots often stick to a theme and not just a designer e.g.
animals, seaside or characters. Transport is a popular theme among collectors.
The variation in themes, styles, and prices to suit all pockets make novelty
teapots a teariffic collectible.
The Belleek 'Echinus' Pattern was a popular style from the late 19th Century,
based on the spiny sea urchin and pieces of coral. Teasets were produced
in various colourways from the first and second Belleek periods (1863-1890,
and 1891-1926) and these are the most sought after. Another famous teapot
was produced by Worcester in 1881 'The Aesthetic teapot'. This teapot
satirizes the art movement led by Oscar Wilde and features a young man
on one side and a woman on the other. 
Novelty teapots have been produced throughout the 20th Century and have
covered a variety of subjects from Dicken's characters to wigwams. Traditional
subjects have been popular throughout: thatched or timbered houses, and
animals. Leading companies include Sadler's, Beswick and Price's.
Many designers have produced one-off and limited edition teapots. Clarice
Cliff produced the famous 'Teepee Teapot' in the early 1950s. Although
produced after her famous work of the 1930s it is still one of the most
collectible of all novelty teapots. The 'Teepee Teapot' is pictured left
and was produced for the Canadian market. It features a totem pole for
a handle, a chief wearing headdress as the spout, and also has as decoration
maple leaves. 
Novelty teapots are still popular today with many of the traditional companies
such as Minton, Sadler and Royal Albert still producing pots. 
Other
independant designers such as Tony Carter of Carters Teapots has created
a wealth of novelty teapots to collect.