How to Collect Teapots

Teapots make delightful collectibles and you can find them in many places around the world. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has a teapot collection exhibit that is diverse and beautiful.

Instructions

1. Consider the many materials that teapots are made from. You can find teapots made out of cast iron, bone china, stoneware, porcelain, glass and brightly colored ceramics. Certain designs reflect the history of a society. When you collect teapots, remember that they can be decorative and functional. Teapots come in many styles with thick handles and spouts, slim handles and spouts, flower patterns, holiday patterns and Victorian scenes.

2. Search antique shops and auctions to start or augment a teapot collection. You can often find historical teapots that represent events, places or people. When you find old teapots, examine them for flaws. Certain flaws are to be expected when the item is old. But watch for cracks and chips, especially around the lid and spout.

3. Shop in collectible specialty shops. Card and gift shops often sell teapots. You can find unusual models in the shape of animals, vegetables or trees. At Disney gift shops, you can find teapots shaped like characters from the cartoons. Even discount stores often offer a selection of teapots and knock-offs of original designs. The knock-offs won't have the same quality, but they provide an affordable way to grow a teapot collection.

4. Check advertisements of major tea companies. They often advertise their own specialty teapots for sale. The styles and colors can change over the years, so you can add to your collection by ordering teapots from different tea companies and watching the changing ads to buy newer versions.

5. Think of companies that manufacture fine china when you want to collect teapots. Hall China Company in East Liverpool, Ohio, for example, started making teapots around 1920. They still create beautiful styles with gold trim around the edges.

6. Visit art galleries that specialize in ceramic art. You can find unique, exquisite teapots in art galleries. Prices often start around $100 and can reach the thousands.