Tea Accessories: From clay pots to cosy covers

Tea Accessories: From clay pots to cosy covers

Tea and its many accessories have come a long way over the centuries. Once upon a time, tea was brewed in simple clay pots and poured into plain bowls. Fast-forward a few centuries, and we’ve got everything from elaborately decorated teapots, and twee hand-knitted tea cosies of middle England to the playful tea pets of China.

 

Let’s dive in, shall we?

 

Early tea bowls and pots

 

 

 

Five Yixing clay teapots showing a variety of styles from formal to whimsical

 

In ancient China, tea was first drunk as a medicinal drink, and the original “accessories” were as practical as they come. Go read our blog Tea rituals of the world. Volume 1 - China for more.

 

Early tea bowls and pots were often made from clay, specifically Yixing clay, which has the unique property of absorbing tea aromas and oils, enhancing the taste of future brews.

 

These early accessories were all about functionality—good heat retention, sturdy material, and durability.

 

The concept of having a designated pot just for tea laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the cultural phenomenon of the teapot.

 

The influence of Japanese tea ceremonies: chawan and chasen

 

Chasen, Japanese tea whisks, displayed in Kyoto, Japan 

 

Japan’s tea ceremony, or chanoyu, is a study in minimalism and ritual. Dating back to the 15th century, the Japanese tea ceremony introduced specific accessories that remain iconic today.

 

Each chawan (tea bowl), for instance is handcrafted, unique, and designed to fit perfectly in the hands, bringing a meditative element to the tea experience.

 

The chasen (bamboo whisk), is a delicate, hand-carved tool used to froth matcha to perfection. According to this article in Tokyo Weekender:

 

Over 90 percent of Japanese matcha bamboo whisks are made in one small village in northwest Nara Prefecture. The tradition goes back over 500 years, when the Tokugawa Shogunate bestowed 13 families in Takayama village with the Tanimura surname with the right to make chasen.

 

For a closer look at the Japanese tea ceremony and its accessories, go read our blog post: Tea rituals of the world. Volume 2 - Japan.

 

European adaptations: Porcelain, silverware, and the rise of the teapot

 

 

The moustache tea cup

 

When tea hit European shores in the 17th century, it wasn’t long before tea drinkers turned it into a luxury ritual.

 

Porcelain teapots and delicate tea cups quickly became status symbols. It’s thanks to this period that we got the iconic blue and white porcelain from China, which European merchants eagerly imported and later reproduced in places like Delft and Staffordshire.

 

Accessories like sugar tongs, tea strainers, and ornate silver teapots became popular, taking tea drinking from a practical habit to an elaborate social event. Victorian advertisements boasted “fine English porcelain” and sterling silver tea sets, all designed to turn tea into the centrepiece of an afternoon.

 

One of the weirder inventions of the Victorian era was the Moustache cup which allowed labium superius oris caouifurred gentlemen to enjoy tea without melting, and ultimately tasting, their moustache wax.

 

Victorians were a weird bunch but few as weird as the inventor - Harvey Adams.

 

More Victorian innovations: Tea cosies, trays, and bone china

 

United Kingdom Tea Company advert from the 1890s

 

In the 19th century, the Victorian tea experience became something of an art form.

 

The tea cosy—a padded cover to keep teapots warm—was invented because tea time was a long, leisurely affair, and no one wanted cold tea. Decorative tea trays became popular, and bone china, a strong, translucent porcelain, became the material of choice for tea cups and saucers.

 

During this period, tea accessories were a reflection of a person's social standing. Ads of the day featured ornate bone china and lavish tea services, all promising to make the average tea-drinker feel like royalty. For the curious, Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection has some great examples of Victorian tea accessories that show off the era’s flair for elegance.

 

Tea pets: A touch of playfulness from China

 

 

 

Tea pets date back to the Yuan Dynasty

 

Moving into the lighter side of tea accessories, we come to tea pets. Tea pets, or "cha chong," have been around since the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). These small, unglazed clay figures sit on the tea table and are “fed” with leftover tea during the gongfu tea ceremony. Pouring tea over the tea pet nourishes the clay, developing a patina over time, making each tea pet unique.

 

Tea pets come in various designs, from animals like frogs, pigs, and turtles to mythical creatures like dragons, and each is said to bring good luck and fortune. You can even find modern tea pets that “spit” water when poured over with hot tea.

  

Final thoughts

 

From the rustic clay pots and tea pets of ancient China to the elaborate silver teapots of Victorian England, tea accessories have evolved alongside the drink itself.

 

While we've looked at some practical accessories - looking at you moustache cup - many of these companion pieces are a reminder of tea's history as a status symbol.

 

Many others are a lovely indication that people like to add to the joyous culture of tea enjoyment by bringing a touch of whimsy and eccentricity to their refreshment. 

 

We'll end on a quote from the great man himself... 

 

"Indeed, one might partake of one's tea from the crude vessel of cupped hands; yet observe me, delighting in my brew from a cup crafted with the utmost care and precision, a cup worthy of my distinguished and noble whiskers!"

- Harvey Adams, inventor of the moustache cup. Probably. 

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