Since I’ve recently found a space well-suited to housing a museum dedicated to displaying large collections, I’ve been thinking of little else lately.
I’ve been worrying about all that I need to do to open the new venue. I’ve been imagining how the space will look and brainstorming what galleries we can fill. Mostly, I’ve been planning one thing or another like crazy.
Among all this obsessing, I’ve also been thinking of the educational texts that will accompany the displays.
I know I’ll need to work with the collectors who exhibit to write the text for our signs and brochures and web pages, and we’ll want to provide enough pertinent information–but without overwhelming museum visitors.
Along those lines, it occurred to me that I could sum up my reasons for amassing some 500 teapots in seven short entries like this…
T–Teresa and Terry. My grandmother cherished her formal gold luster teapot, and my mother regularly used, and loved, a teapot decorated with images of cherubs at play, so I grew up with a strong appreciation for teapots.
E–Elegant as well as Exotic. Personally, I’m drawn to elegant teapots, but I also appreciate how many different cultures impart their own styles on the teapot.
A–Accessible. Teapots are everywhere–in most of our lives and in almost any shop you enter. Teapots are commonplace, so you don’t need a degree in art appreciation to understand why their stout round shape, appealing designs, and array of colors are so tempting.
P–Pretty. A great percentage of teapots are simply pretty, which appeals to me immensely. I like lovely things, and many teapots are decorated in ways that appeal to the lady of the house.
O–Old Fashioned. At the risk of contradicting my next reason, teapots, with their homey charm and role in the traditions of teatime, are old-fashioned accouterments that suit old-fashioned personalities like mine.
T–Timeless. Nonetheless, teapots are not only traditional, they are also timeless. Ever since the legendary Chinese emperor discovered the rewards of brewing tea leaves, teapots have been needed and used and treasured. With tea enjoying a resurgence these days, teapots, as well as tea mugs and other trappings, are as popular as ever.
S–Special. Those of us who have teapots often consider them special because, ironically, the everyday teapot often marks special occasions. Of course, back in the days when father knew best, tea sets were often given as wedding gifts. As feminine trappings, teapots are, of course, often given to women as birthday or holiday presents.
In addition, teapots are frequently designed as holiday accessories. They’re also produced by artists and craftspeople as works of art, and they’re surprisingly sold as souvenirs in tourist traps.
So many diverse reasons to own teapots make teapots part of so many different aspects of our lives. We admire them as art, include them in our celebrations, and reflect on them as mementos of special occasions.
All along are enough reasons to make teapots special to me–and my teapot collection are big part of my life–so big that I’m hoping to squeeze it into its own gallery when The Collectors museum opens.
Until then, enjoy your collections.
Patti
The Committed Collector
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