A Study in Teapots

For many years I have collected teapots. I think I am drawn to the whimsical yet functional design that has endless incarnations. I had quite a few at one point but sold or gave away most a while back. Since moving south I have have revied the bug and added a few new finds over time.

This beautiful chinese example is very old and in beautiful condition except for the handle which is missing a rattan wrapping. I got it for a bargain price at Scotts.

This Roseville Pottery teapot is maybe my favorite. It has a kind of pumpkin like shape that looks right out of a fairytale cottage.

I scored it along with the a creamer and sugar on eBay and aside from a minor amount of grazing the entire set is in mint condition. I have only seen one other set and it sold for 3 times what I paid. 

Another older Asian style teapot I picked up for just $6 at an estate sale.

Maybe coffee is more your cup of tea? This deco set is by famed British designer Susie Cooper. 

Another gift, which makes me love it all the more, this tiny camera teapot, though not vintage is wonderfully charming. I used the lensbaby composer to create this post.

Time to announce the winner of the Lensbaby giveaway, congrats to Ayenia! She was commentor #105 chosen via random.org. Lensbaby was so impressed with the response they upgraded her prize to the Double Glass Muse. How cool is that? The system bag goes to Facebook poster, Laurie Ann. 

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

The Wonderous Jessie Tait

I recently discovered the British designerJessie Tait via the magazineBBC Home & Antiques and an article on vintage ceramic art. Struck by her design's mid century loveliness, I began scouring eBay for more. Not easy to find, I lucked out recently and found two reasonably priced plates in the Ming Tree pattern. The stylecraft plate shape was inspired by the then modern wonder, television screens.

Jessie worked exclusively as Chief Designer for the legendaryMidwinter Pottery company for almost 30 years from the mid 40's to the early 1970s. The distinctive patterns and shapes of her work is now considered alongside other significant 20th-century designers such asClarice Cliff,Charlotte Rhead andSusie Cooper.

She came from a working class family and grew up around the factories in Staffordshire and attended theBurslem School of Art, in Stoke. It was not until the 1990's that her work was "re-discoverd" and became highly collectible. After retiring in 93, she worked into her 70's as a freelance designer, she died just this past January at 81.

 

I used them here as the perfect background for warm popovers served with apricot jam and crème fraiche.

If this has wet your whistle to learn more check out this yummy lookingbook on the innovative pottery company by Steven Jenkins.

all photos except portrait of Jessie Tait © Lara Rossignol

My Kawaii World

 

  

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol