A captivating compilation of 500 of the most creative and technically astounding teapots you've ever seen, Collectors and ceramists alike .will enjoy the huge variety of shapes,surface treatments, and techniques it presents, including hand built and wheel thrown,stoneware and porcelain,round and square, wax resist and slip work, and functional and strictly sculptural. Whether they explore pure function or challenge our expectations of what a spout, handle, and lid are, these teapots are both visually fascinating and thought provoking.

The teapot is to the potter what the canvas is to the painter. Since the ancient Chinese first developed vessels for brewing and serving tea, the teapot has inspired clay artists to create their own renditions. 500 Teapots:Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design presents a remarkable visual tour of how potters from around the world are interpreting this classic form.These many figurative, sculptural,and, yes, traditional teapots astound us with their myriad shapes and delightful combinations of utility and decorative treatment.John Neely's classic "Octagonal Brown Teapot with Braided Cane Handle" reconnects contemporary teapot design to its honored Oriental origins, as do cuttingedge sculptural designs like Richard Swanson's "Proud Catch II" and Bonnie Seeman's exquisite, organically inspired creations.

Introduction

The Teapots

Acknowledgments

Index