How to Make a Silver Tea Pot

Silver tea pots bring elegance to teatime.

Mention to people that you want to make a silver teapot, and it's likely that they will remark on the difficulty of such a project. Others might bring up the name of American Revolutionary Paul Revere, as famous for his silver teapots as for his midnight ride from Boston. For your crafts project, set aside time, funding, space and a mentor to create a useful and beautiful silver teapot.

Things You'll Need

• Silver ingot
• Silver teapot design and pattern
• Silverworking tools
• Workbench

Instructions

1. Research as many silver teapots as possible. Look at museum websites and exhibitions for examples of silver teapots throughout history. Go to fine stores to see current silver teapot designs. Ask friends and relatives if you can make tea in their silver teapots. Experiment with pouring the tea into cups. Very often a teapot may look good, but spills or puddles when poured. Make notes of which teapot designs you like for looks and utility.

2. Find experienced artisans to help the process of making your silver teapot. Consider your learning styles and work habits. Is silverwork a new process for you? If so, consult the independent learning materials for an overview. Then, contact area silversmiths and craftspersons for workshops or classes. Do you work well alone with little supervision? Do you have some experience in silverwork? Can you figure things out for your self? You may only need some articles, books and films narrated and demonstrated by experienced silversmiths.

3. Purchase the silver ingot for the teapot. In a workshop or class atmosphere, ask the instructor about where to purchase the metal and how much to expect to pay. Ingots for silver teapots often come in 50-ounce sizes. At this point, decide if you will be using the cold, hammering method of making the teapot, or using the hot method of melting the silver and pouring it into a teapot mold.

4. For the "cold" methods, plan for 200 hours of silverwork for one teapot. Heat and slowly cool the ingot so the metal isn't brittle. Take a sledghammer and pound the silver into a diameter of 12 to 13 inches. After the metal has set, slightly heat the silver and allow it to cool again. When it is soft enough to work with, use a smaller shaping hammer with a polished face. Hammer the metal smooth. Continue the process with the base, handle, pour spout and top. Overlap the seams and solder them into place. Add your name or initials and your client's name or initials. Include the date if you wish.

5. For the "hot" method, melt the silver ingot and pour the hot metal into the teapot molds. Often the teapot needs two molds for the top and bottom. Pour the silver into molds for the teaspout, handle and top. Create the teapot base with a mold or the "cold" hammer method. When the pieces have cooled, melt them together.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect. Once you have made one silver teapot, begin another.

• Try different designs and decorations.

• Follow instructions and safety guidelines for working with hammers and hot metals.

References

• Metropolitan Museum: Special Exhibitions: Paul Revere 1768
• Metropolitan Museum: Teapot, 1796 Paul Revere, Jr.
• Newyorkamera: Silver Teapot
• Colonial Williamsburg: Silversmith
• Colonial Williamsburg: A Colonial Silversmith

Resources

• Rare Antiques: Paul Revere Silver Teapot.
• Society of American Silversmiths: US Schools
• Colonial Williamsburg: Silversmith