Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Antique Tea Ware

Author: Reading Pictures Era
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The history of ancient Chinese tea utensils is long and profound. Broadly speaking, since tea was utilized by humans, related tea utensils emerged accordingly. Early tea drinking was relatively rough, so tea utensils were primarily made of pottery. By the Tang Dynasty, specialized tea utensils began to appear. The drinking of tea by the Song people was more refined and exquisite than that of the Tang people, leading to a new look for Song Dynasty tea utensils, with tea kettles nearly disappearing. In the Ming Dynasty, a major transformation occurred in the history of tea drinking. The multi-generational compressed tea cakes were replaced by loose tea, and the brewing method of loose tea gradually replaced the Tang boiling and Song brewing, marking the beginning of the true sense of tea pots. Zisha tea utensils also made their debut on the historical stage and became highly popular. They became the main tea utensils of the Ming and Qing dynasties due to a certain harmony between them and tea. This book features over 400 images of ancient Chinese tea utensils from various dynasties, showcasing the depth and breadth of China's "tea culture." Amidst the sealed and preserved artifacts, it composes a magnificent symphony of tea culture.