A cherished bit of English history resides
in its traditional Brown Betty teapots. Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, a city
160 miles northwest of London, became famous for making pottery in the Middle
Ages. In fact, the village was nicknamed the Potteries due to the region’s
abundance of a superior form of red clay that retains heat more than any other
clay.
Tea drinking spread beyond the upper class
to all families in British society in the early 19th century. This
demand increased the production of china teapots and teacups by the Wedgewood,
Spode, and Royal Doulton companies, rivaling their Chinese porcelain
counterparts, and brought renown to the Staffordshire clay teapots.
I’m a tea drinker who believes the Brown
Betty teapot makes one of the best pots of tea. Several cups of hot tea can be
poured before it is necessary to replenish the teapot with fresh tea and hot
water. The teapot’s round shape enables loose tea leaves to swirl in the
boiling water, ensuring complete infusion. The dark manganese glaze, known as a
Rockingham glaze, gives the Brown Betty its distinct color, hiding tea stains
over time.
How are Brown Betty teapots made? Once
they were thrown on a potter’s wheel with the hand and spout added afterward.
Now they are poured into a mold using a slipcasting method. After the teapot is
released from the mold, it is allowed to dry naturally. Then it is smoothed
(fettled) and fired in the kiln for the first time. Next, the teapot (in
biscuit form) is dipped into the Rockingham glaze and left to dry naturally
again. Excess glaze is removed from the bottom (footswiping) and the
lavender-colored pot is fired in the kiln a second time to create the glossy
chocolate-syrupy color of the Brown Betty teapot.
If you would like to own a new Brown Betty
teapot, two Stoke-on-Trent companies still make these treasured heirlooms,
Cauldon Ceramics, Ltd. and Adderley Ceramics, Ltd.. Of course, you can find Sadler
or Alcock, Lindley & Bloore Brown Betty teapots in antique stores and
vintage shops. To determine if you own an authentic Brown Betty teapot, turn it upside down to see if you can see the unglazed red clay and the words “Made in England” on the bottom.Other countries have copied the Brown Betty style teapot and I
own an Old Amsterdam Porcelain Works teal green teapot that is a close cousin to my favorite
Sadler teapots in various sizes.
Do you own
a teapot? Enjoy sipping tea? Or have you visited England, the land of tea? Please share and leave a comment to place your name in the drawing for Amanda's Beau by Shirley Raye Redmond! The winner is announced in the Weekly Windup on Feb. 1. Check out all of our great gifts on the Prizes Galore page.
Cheers!
Deb
