Tea pets

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wave_code
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:12 am

Thought it would be interesting to have a thread here for tea pets - photos, discussion, whatever.

I find them interesting, although I do not have any myself at the moment. Some seem like nicely crafted accents while others range (in my view) to corny gimmicks that look more like they belong in a goldfish bowl. Although I have seen some more modern/unique designs that step away from traditional symbols that are quite interesting. Working in the arts I see the appeal of basically having small sculptures, particularly ones which can evolve over time, as part of your regular tea set up. After all, we tend to surround ourselves with other objects/artwork in our daily lives we find pleasing, and if you spend a lot of time making tea why not there too.
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There is no self
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:44 pm

I don't have any tea pets yet, mainly because I don't have a tray, so I wouldn't be able to give them tea without making a mess on the table.

I agree that a lot of them, such as the classic pee pee boy, look a tad cheesy. I like the water buffalo and some turtles, and I saw a small Lu Yu statue once that was quite pretty.
I've actually been looking for a horse (2014, year of the horse, was a special year in my tea journey) but most of them are not that beautiful, to put it mildly.
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debunix
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:03 pm

I've got actual pets that like to get between me and my tea setup at home, and a tea pet would be just another thing for them to knock over.

Image

Humboldt (on the right) actually likes to eat leftover tea leaves (mostly greens), so I have to be careful when rinsing out teawares to leave the sink & drain free of those last bits of leaf.

I do enjoy seeing tea pets in other people's setups.
swordofmytriumph
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:03 pm

There is no self wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:44 pm
I agree that a lot of them, such as the classic pee pee boy, look a tad cheesy.
Or worse, the smiling bhuddas. Why can’t they have cool one. Iike a dragon? Though I have to say, I do think the piggies drinking tea pet is a little cute.
Last edited by swordofmytriumph on Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
plamarca000
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Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:30 pm

I have a yixing Pixiu that hangs out on my table. I stopped using a tray and went with bamboo mat but still have him chilling on the table.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Chinese ... 07914.html
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There is no self
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Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:37 am

swordofmytriumph wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:03 pm
Why can’t they have cool one. Iike a dragon?
I think someone on Teachat had a dragon. And by dragon I mean "Chinese mythological animal that looks like a dragon whose name I can't remember".
swordofmytriumph
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Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:21 am

I'd love a western style dragon with wings... That would be so cool.
Abracadaver!
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Sun Mar 03, 2019 4:26 pm

It's totally ridiculous and not really my style, but I'm completely in love this mecha-style toad:

Image

Sadly, out of stock from the two vendors I found who had it listed, but maybe someday...
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debunix
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Sun Mar 03, 2019 4:59 pm

So mecha-it's hard to tell what creature it is supposed to be from just one view, but very cool nevertheless. Very, very cool.
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mudandleaves
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Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:21 am

Something a little different, Dehua Porcelain tea pets:
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TB2TeSVbbwrBKNjSZPcXXXpapXa_!!2276896971.jpg
TB2TeSVbbwrBKNjSZPcXXXpapXa_!!2276896971.jpg (87.69 KiB) Viewed 8660 times
polarbear.jpg
polarbear.jpg (58.61 KiB) Viewed 8660 times
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d.manuk
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Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:26 pm

Lol I like the polar bear
But it would probably stain in an unpleasant way over time
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mudandleaves
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Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:03 am

Shine Magical wrote:
Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:26 pm
Lol I like the polar bear
But it would probably stain in an unpleasant way over time
Some like to see the evolution of tea pets by staining or feeding them over a period. I prefer porcelain or glazed ceramic over Yixing for tea pets and use them just as decorative figurines (without the feeding). To each their own :)
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d.manuk
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Sun May 19, 2019 5:34 pm

mudandleaves wrote:
Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:03 am
Shine Magical wrote:
Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:26 pm
Lol I like the polar bear
But it would probably stain in an unpleasant way over time
Some like to see the evolution of tea pets by staining or feeding them over a period. I prefer porcelain or glazed ceramic over Yixing for tea pets and use them just as decorative figurines (without the feeding). To each their own :)
Of course, it depends on what tea you use with it. I'm happy you stock it since I just purchased one... it will turn a nice green over time :lol:
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pedant
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Sun May 19, 2019 7:30 pm

i am not a fan of tea pests. my table and desk are crowded enough, don't need to add kitsch to the equation :lol:
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Jo
Mrs. Chip
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Sun May 19, 2019 7:33 pm

pedant wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 7:30 pm
i am not a fan of tea pests. my table and desk are crowded enough, don't need to add kitsch to the equation :lol:
Lol, we have one teapet, he is incognito
Last edited by Jo on Tue May 21, 2019 9:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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