Hong Kong Museum of Teaware (Picture Heavy)

[TomVerlain]

I just got back from a trip to hong kong where I had a chance to spend some time in the Hong Kong Museum of Teaware http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Arts/e ... a/tea.html

Situated in the 1847 Commander of the British forces' house, the museum has both very modern teaware, as well as antiquities. An adjoining building houses the tea house and more exhibits. There were some very nice examples of chinese porcelian as well as a history of seal making. No photos allowed in that area tho.

While not stuffed to the ceiling like the V&A or other museums, each piece was certainly of a quality and example you will not see in many other places. An emperor's teapot or one from 1597 ... magical stuff.

There is a gift shop that has both replicas as well as true antiques (qing tea cups etc) and 80's yixing for sale. It is not inexpensive, but buying from a museum you will have a better feeling than if you tried to buy in a shop.

The tea house had song pin on the menu. $1,289.00 for twelve grams. I opted for a 1980's brick tea for about $6.00.

The museum is situated in a park that is well worth visiting to get away from the hustle and bustle of HK for a bit. Overall, if you are in HK for a few days, this would be a nice tea journey.



"Cream" tea - this is more like what butter tea is



Cup from mid 1800's



Cups from the 1730's



20th c cup



Late 19th c teapot



19th c Bell Shaped teapot



19th c teapot with flattened shoulder



Gongfu tea setup / implements



Gonfu explained



Qianlong Emperor



Qianlong Emperor's Teapot



Teapot with pierced knob from 1627



Magnolia shape teapot - 1597 Wanli period



"Dragon Belt" 16th c



Square Panel teapot, - 1597 Wanli period



Ming Teapots



Purple Clay info



Teahouse - mid 80's tea brick



Tea House - Dim Sum sweets



Tea Menu - Song Pin - $1,300 US per pot

[edkrueger]

Thanks you very much for these pictures. Looks like it was a neat experience.

[geeber1]

Thanks for sharing Tom, now I think I'll add Hong Kong to my places to visit someday!

[Chip]

Excellent photos, Tom. Thanks for sharing, though it would have been a better conclusion if you said you had the song pin.

Hard to believe there are places like this where you can drop that much on a session of tea!

[rabbit]

from the 1730's

I LOVE this gaiwan!!!

[TubbyCow]

Thanks for this, TomVerlain.

Beautiful pieces.

[DJ3riple]

nice pics thanks for sharing

[fracol]

The pictures were amazing, but the last one suprised me the most!!! I can't believe they are selling tea for $10,000. My question, is this for the whole cake or just for the serving?

[wyardley]

The pictures were amazing, but the last one suprised me the most!!! I can't believe they are selling tea for $10,000. My question, is this for the whole cake or just for the serving?

Those prices are in HKD. So ~ $1287 US for 12 g as mentioned by the OP.

[Drax]

from the 1730's

I LOVE this gaiwan!!!

I think the corresponding captions were under the photo, not above. So that is a 20th century cup (and perhaps more attainable then? )

Awesome pictures! Thank you for sharing them.

[IPT]

Yes, that is definately not a 18th century gaiwan.

I hate that museum. I've been there a few times and the people are so greedy! They won't sell a single item on display! Can you believe that!?

[gingkoseto]

Nice! And you have great photography skills too!

The menu, although it's HKD, still makes me roll my eyes

[bagua7]

Thanks for the info. I would definitively love to drink some of that vintage puerh on a daily basis .Not cheap stuff for sure.

[Victoria]

Wow, gorgeous stuff!

[TIM]

My Favorite place in Hong Kong.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rNl5VRNLz_s/S ... G_8609.jpg