Collecting old piece, single pieces, or entire sets?

[collector]

Hello.

I wonder if, collecting old teaware pieces(cups, saucers,even spoons, etc. requires to complete the entire set before displaying, or use them, or is also valid a varied group of pieces different styles. Thanks

[hopeofdawn]

Admittedly I'm coming at this from the standpoint of an artist and tea-lover, not an antiques expert or tea ceremony aficionado--but I would tend to think that you can mix pieces as your own aesthetic sense and sensibility requires, and no one would sneer at you. Especially if, like me, you're not necessarily collecting for the oldest or most valuable teaware you can find, but just the teaware you find beautiful to look at and use.

That said, if you're going for a full high English tea or the equivalent, I believe having matched sets of teaware/silverware is traditional. And I believe for an antique collector, having a full set of a particular style of teaware will be worth more in terms of resale value than partial sets or single pieces, assuming that's a concern of yours ...

All this is IMHO, of course.

[MarshalN]

My thoughts on this issue

http://www.marshaln.com/2009/12/wednesd ... r-23-2009/

In sum - I think it is perfectly fine to buy various teaware and figure out how you want to arrange them. In fact, you can even use non-tea related wares and appropriate them for whatever you do with your tea. Afterall, someone's chawan is someone else's rice bowl.

[collector]

thanks for your answers.

[teaisme]

A full set is not nearly as important as the quality of what you are collecting

If its really nice people won't care if you offer the whole set, they are just happy enough with whatever they are lucky enough to get

As for using teaware yourself...whatever pleases you! If TAD hits you there shouldn't be a prob mixing and matching stuff