How do you select your teaware?

[auhckw]

How do you select your teaware? Is perfection a must for you?

[Chip]

"Pefect Imperfection is a must for me," says this Hagiphile.

Otherwise I pretty much like perfection in teaware ... there must be a seemingly instant appeal which must then be confirmed over and over prior to making a purchase.

[hopeofdawn]

I haven't bought too many pieces of teaware yet, myself (curse my limited income!), but I would agree with Chip--it has to be functional, of course, but beyond that, it has to be a piece that's beautiful and memorable--one that keeps me coming back to look at it again and again, and one that I know I would regret passing over later on if I chose not to buy it.

I'm a bit picky in that regard, which is probably the only thing that saves my wallet!

[Chip]

--one that keeps me coming back to look at it again and again, and one that I know I would regret passing over later on if I chose not to buy it.

I'm a bit picky in that regard, which is probably the only thing that saves my wallet!

Absolutely +1.


After more thought.

Visual appeal ... then I look at size ... then I combine the 2 features to the point of virtual analysis paralysis.

I will also consider shape.

The actual materials will also be considered as well as "need versus want" ... though want often wins out anyway.

Craftsmanship, often having to rely on reputation.

Finally, I consider how will it feel in hand, and if it is a cup how will it feel against the lips. I am not too keen on rough, bare clay cups

[tortoise]

This is a real boring answer, but budget is my first concern. I don't buy the cheapest ones, but I have to space out my purchases so I can buy slightly better items.

I also have to wait on an item that i'm inspired to buy for at least one week. I have found that I sometimes change my mind over time and the best way to eliminate that is to...wait.

I generally avoid overly ornamented styles, preferring simpler designs. I am also a sucker for functionality features (like backward slanted kyusu bottoms, wide openings,etc), but it can sometimes be hard to find an item that marries form and function perfectly.

Perfection? Well, that is such a subjective term that most of us could say perfection is important and we'd all present very different tea wares as examples of such.

[rdl]

i respond to teaware as i do any work of art. i look at what the potter-artist has put into the object. if i can see how the potter's hands had their effect, and see the process of a lump of clay turned into a functional object, how they glazed and fired it...i look for the success of the artist because i am buying teaware to appreciate, and since i didn't create it i want to know i am appreciating the factors, the process, of the potter that did. whatever there is in a finished work of teaware, i want to feel the potter succeeded and allows me to appropriate that creation as mine.
it is a question of appropriation. then i feel the potter,the object, and i are in harmony.

[JBaymore]

Nicely said, rdl.

best,

...............john

[IPT]

I guess it depends on your definition of perfection. When choosing a blue and white porcelain piece, I want it hand-made, but as close to perfection as possible. When choosing a celadon piece, or a rougher wabi sabi piece, I want perfection in the inperfection.

I agree with RDL when it comes to getting to know the artisan who creates each piece. Personally, I feel that the piece will always have a bit of the potter's essence in it, so I like to know as much about them as possible. I keep a database for each piece I own that has information on the potter. It has to be a symbiotic relationship between artisan and owner.

[ycleong]

Parameters for my selection of teaware evolve over the years. Affordability to a large extent dictates my prerequisite of teaware that I would like to add to my collection. Functionality and aesthetic values are important issues to me most of the time. If the teaware I acquire appreciates in value, that's a bonus. However, there are teapots that I purchased based on potter's reputation, quality of clay and impressive workmanship. These aesthetically pleasing teapots are more for the purpose of display and ownership rather than being functional.

[IPT]

I never buy with thoughts of investment. I just can't sell pieces from my personal collection, so I buy based on the piece's individual merits without thought of investing. I suppose some day my daughter will sell it all off and make a decent profit. I hope she grows to love tea though.

[ycleong]

I never buy with thoughts of investment. I just can't sell pieces from my personal collection, so I buy based on the piece's individual merits without thought of investing. I suppose some day my daughter will sell it all off and make a decent profit. I hope she grows to love tea though.

I tend to be of the same mind as IPT. To buy and sell a teaware for a profit has never been a reason for me to purchase it in the first place. I find my teaware in general and teapots in particular tend to grow on me, some with fond memories, and the thought of parting with any one of collection has not crossed my mind.

[Oni]

I buy teaware only if it is good for use, and it makes good tea, it has artistical value, and is affordable. Sometime I just can`t afford a certain type of teaware, but I want it badly, for example a Japanese silver kettle.

[David R.]

First, I have to trust the vendor. Choosing a teapot on the internet, as it is always the case, based on photos, can be tricky. It is the same thing for all teaware (Hagi...) So he/she must provide good photos, and be ready to send me more on demand. I like to see the "skin" of a yixing and not big pixels !

Info on the clay is most welcomed but I prefer someone who says he doesn't know than some fancy fairy tale.

I consider the capacity, not too big, not too small, the type of filter and, of course, the price.

After that, there is a good combination of "love at first sight," need of a teaware for a tea family, and "need to do me some good" by buying a piece of teaware.

[the_economist]

functionality is the most important criterion for me. i go on the market for what i think i will surely use, and use for a long time/frequently.

but naturally aesthetics play a significant role in determining whether or not i use the piece frequently

[iannon]

yes! perfect for me anyway