Tea pets

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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.

[There is no self]

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.

[debunix]

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.



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]

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.

[plamarca000]

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

[There is no self]

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]

I'd love a western style dragon with wings... That would be so cool.

[Abracadaver!]

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



Sadly, out of stock from the two vendors I found who had it listed, but maybe someday...

[debunix]

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.

[mudandleaves]

Something a little different, Dehua Porcelain tea pets:
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TB2TeSVbbwrBKNjSZPcXXXpapXa_!!2276896971.jpg (87.69 KiB) Viewed 11631 times

polarbear.jpg (58.61 KiB) Viewed 11631 times

[d.manuk]

Lol I like the polar bear
But it would probably stain in an unpleasant way over time

[mudandleaves]

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

[d.manuk]

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

[pedant]

i am not a fan of tea pests. my table and desk are crowded enough, don't need to add kitsch to the equation

[Jo]

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, we have one teapet, he is incognito