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Monday, May 22, 2017

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, A Self Pouring Teapot - Victorian Gadget

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! First of all, to my Canadian neighbors... Happy Victoria Day!!!






When I turned the page on my Collectible Teapot calendar, I found this wonderful Victorian invention... the self-pouring teapot...which I had forgotten about.



The calendar,  The Collectible Teapot and Tea Calendar is by Shay Riegler with photos by Martin Brigdale, and is an annual staple in my office...and I keep the, for thir gorgeous photos. I have about 12 I think, on the book shelf.





The teapot in the calendar, although the mark isn't shown, is probably by Doulton and is a flow blue Peony pattern self pouring teapot. What, you say??? Yep! The vacumn pump lid forces tea out of the spout without having to pick up the pot to pour out the tea. 




The above 2 photos are from Roisin Cox in England, a friend a collector, and part of the British Ceramics group I belong to, who gave me permission to post them. This is a wonderful Doulton, Burslem...later Royal Doulton, self poring teapot with an 1886 pattern date...and was marketed through A. J Royle in Manchester.




Steve Osborne, a friend and collector from a British pottery group I belong to, also gave me permission to share these...he has a collection of them, as seen above...

The teapot works by a pumping mechanism. The lid is raised then depressed with the finger covering the small hole in the top generating pressure within the teapot to expel tea out of the spout. The curved spout meant the teapot did not have to be lifted. The water was forced through the tea leaves in the bottom of the pot which was thought to improve the flavor. Those clever Victorians! Invented by industrialist John J Royle in 1886.


The above chintz version is one that I have had in the past and sold...I think over 30 years I have had about a dozen of them in differest colors and patterns. Some folks in the trade have called them Staffordshire droopers, and a few other unmentionable names, but I love them for their quirkiness. They didn't last longer really, that the 1920-1930s.



Some of the self pourers in Steve's collection, another is seen above...this time in the Aesthetic style.  Queen Alexandra had one, and the calendar states that Queen Victoria used one as well...

If you want to see how one actually works, here is a link to a Facebook video made and posted by Steve Osborn demonstrating it's use with a teapot from his collection.

   He is a member of British Pottery And Porcelain group on Facebook which I am a long time member of...

https://www.facebook.com/steve.osborn.940/videos/vb.587329549/10152347183619550/?type=3&theater


A bit different this week, but It was such fun being reminded of a fun Victorian invention. Thanks for joining me for tea from a self pouring teapot!
I am joining:


Thanks so much for joining me for tea!  Here is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there!  I am so looking forward to visiting you!


12 comments:

  1. Very unique and yes, quirky teapots, Ruth! It's amazing the tea items folks can come up with. I like the chintz! Enjoy your week and thanks for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  2. I also like to keep Collectible Teapot calendars. The self-pouring teapot is really cool. Thank you for hosting and Happy Victoria Day, Ruth!

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  3. Dear Ruth:
    That calendar is always such fun seeing all the different styles of teapots. I thought about Queen Victoria and doing a Victoria Day post this week too. We are having a lovely sunny day so maybe I better get busy as some rain is predicted this week. Hope your week is lovely. Thank you for linking and sharing.

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  4. Well I'll be, Ruth! I've never heard of a self-pouring teapot, so thank you for sharing. Thank you for hosting your tea party and have a great week.

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  5. Very beautiful teapots! Thanks for hosting!

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  6. You always share the most lovely teapots and cups, darling Ruth, I thank you from the bottom of my heart !

    Wishing you a most lovely remainder of your week

    XOXO Daniela at - My little old world -(Dany)

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  7. I had never seen the teapots named droopers
    I'm sure they are very pricey now.I love the blue chintz one because blue and white is my favorite in any dish or material

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  8. Ruth, thank goodness for your informative posts or I might never have heard of this invention! How could I not have heard of these crazy teapots!

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  9. Ruth, these are so unique and interesting! I had never heard of a self pouring teapot. I just recently learned of flow blue. A friend of mine has a lovely collection. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  10. How cool is that a self-pouring teapot! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!

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  11. It was such fun to see my teapot on here .I actually live in Ireland .The self pouring teapot is great fun to use and people are always amazed by it .

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  12. I have had a self pouring teapot for several years - a Burslam Pomegranate design, and never knew its history and purpose. Great to read about this. Will have fun making it work. Unfortunately when we moved house the tip of the spout was broken, but glued back on.

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