Chinese inventions were heralded throughout antiquity, and for good reason. A number of things from China, such as the compass, were adopted and used by people all over the world. But one invention in particular, porcelain Chinese tea sets, is widely regarded as the best item to come out of this country.

After its was brought to Europe, Europeans feverishly tried to master this Chinese art. Chinese porcelain was famous for its rock-solid structure and unforgettable shine that had become a status symbol, collectors item, and a fixture on dinner tables across the world.

In the beginning, European kilns produced almost nothing that could compete with the Chinese tea sets. Artisans just couldn't figure out the process. What's more, there didnt seem to be any of the right clay anywhere. The formula was confusing, and the firing techniques were just beyond their skill level.

Then a young European alchemist came on the scene. Just 19 years old, Johann Bottger was given the impossible task of turning lead into gold for the kind of Poland. When he failed, he was jailed for a long time. But it was during this period that he started to study how to make porcelain.

Supported by a local Duke, this young boy found the material he needed to produce pure white porcelain. It was found on the highest of mountains, and the duke was able to give him a healthy supply.

With hard work and little bit of of luck, Johann discovered the right ratio of clay and other materials to make pure white porcelain. And he built a kiln that could reach temperatures that matched those of the Chinese kilns.

He made tiny test tiles that were the first porcelain items ever made in Europe. But that was all he could do.

Eventually the complete process of making true Chinese tea sets was solved by a Jesuit missionary. At almost same moment of Johann Bottger's tests, Pere d'Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest, made his way to Chinas Jingdezhen. This is where the worlds finest porcelain china tea sets were made. After almost a decade, he published two letters that detailed the process of making Jingdezhen porcelain. Before long, factories making porcelain were established across Europe.

Some say this would be a crime nowadays, but he got away with it!

Posted under Tea

China is famous for its tea and tea sets, especially unique Yixing purple clay teapots. Some Chinese tea lovers see collecting purple clay teapots as a great pleasure. Mr. Liu Tianbao has evolved from an amateur teapot buyer to a master purple clay teapot collector.

The Costly Lesson

As a child, Liu was greatly influenced by his father's love of purple clay flowerpots. He was crazy about miniature gardens, so there were a lot of flower pots made of Yixing purple clay in their home. Liu learned the special qualities of purple clay from his father.

Over 30 years ago, there were several curio markets in China's capitol city. Following his father's footsteps, Liu started to shop around at places where various folk arts and crafts were sold, looking for valuable purple play.

One day, Liu hit a second-hand curio market. He purchased nearly 50 secondhand Yixing purple clay teapots! Then he hurried home excitedly, and dipped all the treasures into a tank. He was petrified by what he saw. The handles and spouts dropped one by one off the teapots. It turns out he bought many worthless, broken teapots pieced together by glue. He was taught a costly lesson.

An (Almost) Lost Love

Liu strove to never be duped again. In 1986, he took a shine to a teapot at an antique market in Tianjin. He wanted it for his own collection, but as the price was too high, he gave up. Ten years later, however, he met the teapot again by chance at an antique market in Beijing. There and then he bought it without hesitation.

According to his judgment, this pot was crafted several hundred years ago by a famous purple clay teapot maker named Pei Shimin. It featured a coat of yellow glaze on its surface. Finishing this pot called for two firings, and the technique was very hard to master. Today, a teapot like this can only be admired at the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Save a Pot or Save a Hip?

Since he comprehends their inherent value, Liu cherishes his purple clay teapots to the extreme. On one occasion, he got an antique purple clay teapot from a friend. He gingerly put it into his shoulder bag, and rode his bicycle home, singing songs happily.

When halfway there, however, a grey-haired man suddenly slipped in front of Liu's bike. In order to avoid the old man, Liu swerved his bike and fell off right away. In a fraction of a second, he held on to the purple clay teapot with both hands, and his hipbone fell onto the ground heavily. The teapot was intact, but Liu was stuck in bed for 12 months due to a hip fracture. Nowadays, his friends still take delight in talking about Liu's great sacrifice to the purple clay teapot.

Now Liu has been collecting purple clay teapots for over thirty years. He describes each of his unique teapots as his son. His collections prove that he has a sharp eye for purple clay teapots.

Liu thinks an Yixing purple clay teapot inevitably involves its creator's ingenuity, workmanship, and vision. And he says a purple clay teapot embodies its collector's ability to find good things, and a little luck.

Posted under Tea

China is famous for its tea and tea sets, especially unique Yixing purple clay teapots. Some Chinese tea lovers see collecting purple clay teapots as a great pleasure. Mr. Liu Tianbao has evolved from an amateur teapot buyer to a master purple clay teapot collector.

Tricked in Beijing

As a child, Liu was greatly influenced by his father's love of purple clay flowerpots. He was crazy about miniature gardens, so there were a lot of flower pots made of Yixing purple clay in their home. Liu learned the special qualities of purple clay from his father.

In the 1970s, there were just a few antique markets in Beijing. Liu went shopping just like his father had, and began visiting Tianqiao, Deshenmen, and Shichahai, all venues that featured traditional items. He was searching for 'treasures.'

On one occasion, he went to the Panjiayuan Second-hand Antique Market before dawn and bought nearly fifty second-hand purple clay teapots. When he got home and put the pots into a bucket of water, a terrible thing happened. Some pots lost their spout, and others lost their handles. It turned out that they were defective pots that were pasted together by latex.

Destiny's Pot

In 1986, Liu made a trip to Tianjin. At a local antique market he took a fancy to a quaint purple clay teapot. Regrettably, the price was more than he could afford, and the seller refused to bargain with Liu. In the end, Liu had to part with the pot reluctantly. However, this was not the end. In 1996, Liu unexpectedly discovered the same teapot at a secondhand antique market in Beijing. He didn't skip the chance a second time. He bought it right away.

He concluded that this purple clay teapot was made by Pei Shimin, a master potter of Yixing in the late Qing Dynasty. It was covered with a layer of yellow glaze. The teapot, which had gone through two separate firings, was exceptionally beautiful. Nowadays, this kind of purple clay teapot can only be seen at the Forbidden City or in museums.

Broken Bones Instead of Broken Pots

Since he comprehends their inherent value, Liu cherishes his purple clay teapots to the extreme. On one occasion, he got an antique purple clay teapot from a friend. He gingerly put it into his shoulder bag, and rode his bicycle home, singing songs happily.

When halfway there, however, a grey-haired man suddenly slipped in front of Liu's bike. In order to avoid the old man, Liu swerved his bike and fell off right away. In a fraction of a second, he held on to the purple clay teapot with both hands, and his hipbone fell onto the ground heavily. The teapot was intact, but Liu was stuck in bed for 12 months due to a hip fracture. Nowadays, his friends still take delight in talking about Liu's great sacrifice to the purple clay teapot.

Over the past 30 years, Liu has been addicted to collecting Yixing purple clay teapots. His face lights up as if he was talking about a family member whenever someone mentions his pots. He seldom makes a mistake now, and as a matter of fact, he has developed a very good eye for purple clay teapots.

Liu thinks an Yixing purple clay teapot inevitably involves its creator's ingenuity, workmanship, and vision. And he says a purple clay teapot embodies its collector's ability to find good things, and a little luck.

Posted under Tea