Annie Schliffer
Teapot – AS
Stoneware
Wheel thrown and careved
Wood grain handle
Glazed in spodumene
6.5 X 6.5 X 6.5

Teapots have so many parts that to assemble them is always a challenge. How can I put the parts together so that they become a unified whole? What is the correct spout and position of spout for maximum ease of pouring? How deep should the flange be so it doesn’t fall off while pouring? What type of handle? And what kind of knob on the lid? How close of a fit can the lid be to the body? What kind of tea will it be used for?
And so on, until I try many different types, with all sorts of tea, and in the process drink lots of delicious tea!
I love making teapots!
This teapot is a classic round shape, wheel thrown, trimmed, assembled, and then carved. I like to imagine the beautiful patterns that wind makes on water, rippling, churning, spiraling around, catching sunlight and its glitter.
I add to this carving a trompe l’oeil wooden handle for ease of pouring and a sturdy knob for the lid.
I always enjoy the way our spodumene glaze touches the surface. The thick and thin, light and darker areas create a natural earthy look, even when the inspiration for the carving was water.
My hope is that the user will enjoy many cups of delicious tea!
~
A life of 73 years with a love of tea has given me ample opportunities to savor and enjoy tea. Once, at a workshop in Rochester with Ah Leon from Taiwan, we watched as he deftly demonstrated making the Yixing teapots, while giving us the many rules of teapot making. He then asked us to make spouts by hand using his techniques.
A disaster! Laughter! Followed by the Chinese Tea Ceremony; tiny little cups of exquisitely delicious tea poured over and over, until we got intoxicated and almost delirious with delight.
Another Yixing teapot memory; sitting with a master in Yixing after touring his workshop. Again these very small little cups, refilled over and over, so concentrated and yet free and light with delight!
The first brewing is a short washing of the leaves and is thrown out. Then the hot water is poured, seemingly randomly all over the teapot, and then into the tiny cups.