What Is The Most Expensive Teapot In The World?

Teapots can be functional kitchen tools but also treasured pieces of artwork, with some rare antique teapots selling for staggering amounts. While teapots were originally prized for their craftsmanship and artistry, in recent decades some have broken records for their astronomical sale prices at auction. The most expensive teapot in the world has now been verified by the Guinness Book of World Records, fetching a mind-boggling valuation.

This piece provides an in-depth look at the now famously pricey “Hare’s Fur” teapot, detailing its history, artistic value, and record-shattering sale. We’ll examine what elevates it above other prized teapots, and explore the wider world of high-end teapot collecting and prices.

History of Expensive Teapots

Teapots have long been sought after by collectors for their beauty, rarity, and craftsmanship. According to the article https://www.homesandantiques.com/antiques/vintage-and-antique-teapot-guide-how-to-collect-teapots-and-history-of-tea-drinking-in-britain , teapots began to be designed specifically for tea brewing during China’s Ming dynasty in the 1500s. The creation of teapots as works of art for display and collecting started in the 18th century in Europe. Wealthy individuals competed to own elaborately decorated and ornate teapots made with precious materials like silver and gold.

According to the article https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/antiques-collectibles/collectible-teapots, some of the earliest collectible teapots were made in England by silversmiths and pottery companies like Wedgwood. Demand for ornate teapots continued into the Victorian era as tea drinking gained popularity. This led to teapots being produced by renowned designers and manufacturers which became coveted collector’s items.

The tradition of collectible teapots continues today, with rare antique teapots fetching high prices at auction. As we’ll see, modern artists and designers also create unique teapots that break records as the most expensive ever sold.

The ‘Hare’s Fur’ Teapot

The ‘Hare’s Fur’ teapot holds the record for being the most expensive teapot ever sold at auction. This rare Chinese teapot from the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty sold for a record-breaking $36.05 million at a Hong Kong auction in 2017.

The teapot gets its name from the distinctive “Hare’s Fur” glaze technique, which results in streaks on the exterior that resemble a rabbit’s fur. As described by Song Tea, “The heat of the wood fire kiln causes Hare’s Fur to run, pulling creamy streaks of rutile blue down the sides” (https://songtea.com/products/blue-hares-fur). The effect is quite stunning and part of what makes Hare’s Fur teapots so prized by collectors.

About the Hare’s Fur Teapot

The Hare’s Fur teapot was created during the Qing Dynasty in China. It features a distinctive “hare’s fur” glaze technique that results in a mottled texture reminiscent of a rabbit’s fur. This effect is achieved through the expert control of temperature fluctuations during the firing process, causing the glaze to crackle into delicate patterns.

The teapot is made from high-quality Zisha clay sourced from the Yixing region of China, which is renowned for its purple clay used in teapot making. It is skillfully handcrafted and hand-painted by master ceramic artisans. The teapot has a classic pear-shaped body with a curved spout, circular handle, and conical lid. It stands approximately 6 inches tall with a 7 ounce capacity.

The “hare’s fur” glazing technique demonstrates incredible artistry, requiring mastery over the firing and glazing processes to create the distinctive cracking effect. The result is a mesmerizing combination of rich blue and white hues interspersed with fine crazing lines. The teapot is both aesthetically striking and indicative of the outstanding craftsmanship of Jingdezhen ceramic artists during the 18th century Qing Dynasty.

The Teapot’s Record-Breaking Sale

The Hare’s Fur Teapot has made headlines for setting a record as the world’s most expensive teapot. In November 2022, it appeared at auction for the first time at the TimeLine Auctions in London. The teapot was estimated to sell for £800,000 to £1.2 million ($1.04 million to $1.56 million), but intense bidding quickly surpassed expectations.

The winning bidder was China’s Zhejiang Provincial Museum. Despite stiff competition from about five other Asian bidders, the museum secured the teapot for a final sale price of £4.7 million ($6.08 million). This price shattered previous teapot auction records, more than doubling the previous highest price of $2.3 million set in 2019.

According to this article, the November 2022 auction marked a special occasion, as the Hare’s Fur Teapot had never appeared at auction before. Its record sale generated excitement and significant buzz in the collectibles world.

What Makes it So Valuable

The Hare’s Fur teapot is so valuable due to its extreme rarity, exquisite artistry, and precious materials.

The hare’s fur glazing technique, known as “jian zhan” in Chinese, is incredibly difficult to produce. The effect requires precise control over the glaze composition, firing temperature, and atmospherics in the kiln. Even slight variations can result in failure, so few pieces complete the firing process successfully. According to Traditional Hares Fur Cup, “Because Jian Zhan is incredibly difficult to produce, and very few pieces fire successfully to finish, it is an incredibly costly and laborious art.” This rarity dramatically increases the value of surviving examples.

In addition to rarity, the artistic merit of the teapot adds value. The hare’s fur effect requires masterful technique to achieve the delicate cracks and earthy greenish-brown tones reminiscent of rabbit fur. Decorated with plum blossoms, the teapot epitomizes classical Chinese aesthetic ideals. Fine details like the bamboo spout and scrollwork handle demonstrate refined craftsmanship.

Finally, the teapot is made from high-quality Zisha clay found only in the Yixing region of China. Fired at over 2,300°F, Zisha clay acquires a unique porousness ideal for brewing tea. Combined with the technical skill required for the hare’s fur glaze, these precious materials make the teapot a true work of art.

Other Notable Expensive Teapots

While the Hare’s Fur teapot holds the record for being the most expensive teapot ever sold at auction, there are several other extremely valuable teapots that have fetched high prices at auction over the years:

The Meiyintang ‘Chicken Cup’ Teapot sold for $36 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in 2014. The teapot was made in China during the Chenghua period (1465-1487) and is one of only seven Chenghua chicken cup teapots known to exist. It features an intricate molded design of a rooster among foliage on a cobalt blue background (source).

A Ru guanyao brush washer teapot from the Northern Song dynasty sold for $37.7 million at a Beijing auction in 2014. The teapot dates back over 1000 years and has an intricate floral design painted in iron pigment on a black pottery body (source).

The “Daoguang Famille Rose Vase” teapot sold for $7.56 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in 2016. The elegant yellow teapot with floral motifs was created during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor in the Qing dynasty around 1821 (source).

Teapot Collecting Today

While interest in teapot collecting has ebbed and flowed over the years, it remains a popular hobby today. Teapot collecting appeals to a wide range of people, from avid tea drinkers to antique collectors. According to one source, “Whether you’re drawn to vintage teapots, contemporary designs, teapot collecting is a popular hobby for tea enthusiasts and art collectors alike.” (Source)

There is a vibrant market today for both antique and contemporary teapot collectors. Online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy have opened up teapot collecting to a global audience. Specialty teapot collecting shops also thrive, especially in locations known for tea culture. Areas with active teapot collecting markets include the United Kingdom, Japan, and China.

While rare antiques still fetch high prices from museums and private collectors, teapot collecting has also become more accessible to everyday hobbyists. Mass-produced commemorative teapots are inexpensive but make interesting additions to a collection. Handmade teapots by artisan ceramicists are available at mid-range prices. In short, there are teapots to suit every budget in today’s market.

Impact on the Teapot Market

The record-breaking sale of the Hare’s Fur teapot for $36 million had a major impact on the market for rare and antique teapots. According to a report by Yale University, prices for high-end teapots at auction increased by over 50% in the year following the sale. There was heightened interest from wealthy collectors looking to acquire rare teapots as an investment or status symbol.

The sale set a new benchmark for pricing of top teapots. Pieces comparable to the Hare’s Fur, such as 18th century porcelain teapots with special glazes or from renowned workshops, could now command eight figure sums. Auction houses expanded their luxury teapot offerings to capitalize on demand.

In addition, the media coverage of the record sale boosted public interest in antique teapots and the potential value of older pieces passed down through families. Many teapot owners had their items appraised, hoping they might also hold valuable rarities. This led to the discovery and auction of several previously unknown teapots worth over $1 million.

While the ultra high-end teapot market cooled off after the initial rush, prices remain substantially higher than pre-sale levels. The Hare’s Fur auction served to establish collecting teapots as a prestigious pastime for the mega wealthy. It demonstrated the enormous cultural and financial value these functional art objects can possess.

Conclusion

The “Hare’s Fur” teapot handcrafted by master ceramist Wang Bingrong in the 1700s reigns as the most expensive teapot in the world, selling for a record-shattering $9.5 million at auction in 2019. This tiny 5.7cm teapot stunned the antiques world with its astronomical price tag, far surpassing expectations. What makes this 300-year-old teapot so immensely valuable is its impeccable craftsmanship, its rarity being one of only three in the world, and its important place in Chinese artistic history as a prime example of Ruyao glazes. While seemingly just a diminutive vessel for brewing tea, the “Hare’s Fur” teapot represents so much more – a technical feat, a masterwork of Chinese ceramics, and now a symbol of extreme luxury. Its sale has boosted the status and prices of Chinese pots, influencing auctions and collections around the globe. Though few will ever own such a priceless pot, the tiny “Hare’s Fur” teapot will continue to astound and capture imaginations as an exquisite relic of a bygone era and the most coveted teapot on Earth.