Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, so it’s not surprising that teapots have gained so much popularity. The earliest known teapots were from China, where tea drinking dates back more than a thousand years. Around 15th century, the tea-drinking custom evolved and the first true teapots emerged. Historians speculate that the earliest teapots were modelled after taller ewers that were used for serving wine. The first recognizable vessels are known as Yixing teapots, made from the purple clay of the Jiangsu province that is so porous that it allows these pots to absorb the tea’s natural oils, thereby enhancing the flavour with regular use.
The Egoist — $ 3 million
Commissioned by a UK charity and made by Italian jeweller Fulvio Scavia, this pot encrusted with diamonds has made its way to the Guinness Book of Records as the ‘Most Valuable teapot’ for its worth of 3 million pounds. This valuable teapot is embellished with 1,658 D and E colour grade diamonds and 386 rubies, with the centre Thai ruby worth 6.67 carat. Named Egoist, the pot’s handle comprise moulded mammoth ivory.
Pair of Famille Rose Melon Teapots — $ 2.18 million
This rare pair of melon-shaped teapot from the 18th century adorns the Iron-red Qianlong seal marks. What makes it a prized possession is its minimal design on the white teapot making it elegant and regal. This pair was sold for $2.18 million during the Bonhams auction at Glasgow in 2011 to an anonymous collector from China, breaking all the previous auction records of pottery.
Famille Rose Coral-Ground Teapots — $ 1.26 million
With an unusually elongated shape and flattened oval body, this pair of teapot fascinates collectors for its beautiful landscape painted in the shades of blue and green. The pot is believed to have being made in the mid-1700s and carries the brilliance of Qing Painters. This pair is the only two alike in the world and was brought by a private collector based in Hong Kong during a Christie’s auction for $1.26 million.
Yixing Stoneware Teapot — $ 1.32 million
This stoneware teapot was crafted by Gu Jingzhou in 1943 in China and was sold at $1.32 million at an auction in November 2013. The master potter used zisha clay to handcraft this reddish-brown unglazed cylindrical teapot. It is the name and fame of the potter that greatly added to the cost of the teapot.
Yixing Zisha teapot —$ 2 million
This purple clay teapot made by ceramicist Gu Jingzhou in 1948 was sold for $2 million at the China Guardian auction in Beijing in May 2010. The teapot has beautiful calligraphic engravings made by Wu Hufan whereas artist Jiang Handing has done the bamboo carvings. Although it’s not an antique piece, the sophisticated craftsmanship makes it worth as much as the 14th century teapots.
