Leidon C.
Experts generally agree that the teapot dates back to around 1500 AD, with the emergence of Yixing teapots in China. Using purple and red clay from Yixing in the eastern province of Jiangsu, potters crafted small individual teapots with the handle and spout design we know today. Long before the Yixing teapot, people drank tea as a paste of roasted leaves ground with other ingredients and dried into tablets that dissolved in a teacup. So historically, the teacup came first!
 13th century Chinese tea bowl |  17th century Yixing teapot |
The evolution of the tea cup began in China during the eighth century, when the brew was served in small porcelain or stoneware bowls. Since the Chinese drank tea lukewarm, there was no problem handling the bowl. During the 17th century, tea bowls were being exported into Europe. The English liked their tea piping hot, so handling the bowl was a problem. The solution came in the form of a matching shallow dish into which the tea was poured and then sipped from. It wasn’t until about 1810 that a handle was applied to the tea bowl and the form evolved into the cup and saucer as we know it today.
Students at Blue Church Art used a variety of media to create their own tea cups and teapots.
click on any image to enlarge it
Ava R.
Cole B.
Shayla W-B.
Gunnar S.
Linda H.
Jenna W.
Patricia S.
Madelynn Z.
Leah S.
Tondy H.
Jeri M.
Loraine K.
Grey F.
Gianna S.
Sam B.
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