Two weeks ago, when some friends and I went to Atlanta for a special birthday lunch, we also visited two antique stores before heading back home. At one of them, I found this little 4-1/2-inch-tall teapot that is, I can only surmise, a tea bag holder.
Have you ever seen anything like this? I hadn't. It has sort of a sixties vibe to me. A week after I bought it, I saw in another antique mall a mug that had a very similar design dated 1964 (a vintage I share, incidentally), so I'm guessing that's about how old this piece is. It does have a working spout and could actually be used as a teapot, but I think I am going to use it to hold teabags for all that iced tea I will begin drinking soon. I especially liked the lid, with its little teacup design, and the price: $6.
The sticker on the bottom says "Handpainted TILSO JAPAN." Tilso is a company I've never heard of before. It's times like this I wish I was friends with the staff at "Antiques Roadshow" so I could get some answers about the sometimes puzzling world of teawares!
Really cool tea pot. I googled TILSO and was amazed at all the interesting stuff that came up. My computer is so old though that everything I wanted to look at took so long to download that i just gave up. But you find the neatest things!
ReplyDeleteCute! I wonder if this was originally part of a 1960's canister set? My Grandma had a canister set, and while it wasn't this one, each canister was a different shape.
ReplyDeleteThat is very cute - I like the cup and saucer lid. There is a matching canister too. Great buy for $6.
ReplyDeleteAngela, what a cool find! I love it! What antique shop did you find this in? I live not far from Atlanta myself! There are some tremendous shopping areas within a 1 hour radius, probably enough to keep us all busy for at least three years! ;) ~CC Catherine from "Catherine de th`e Cup"
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun when we find those special tea surprises. Very cute teabag holder.
ReplyDeleteOh how unique and so cute!
ReplyDeleteCC Catherine, I found this piece at the Cobb Antique Mall on Cobb Parkway (near the Big Chicken, if you are familiar with the KFC landmark). And five minutes away is Big Shanty Antique Mall, which is also great. Maybe I'll run into you at one of these sometime! And thanks for the link, Maureen -- I must have the matching canister, of course! (Ginger, it hadn't dawned on me this could be part of a set. Hmmm...)
ReplyDeletehow cute angela! i googled it and found this cool free appraisal site and an explanation of the name and that type of pottery
ReplyDeletehttp://www.instappraisal.com/node/4636/
at least there is a link for a free appraisal, but you have to join the site. i love antique roadshow also:) hugs and thanks for sharing
This is so darling!
ReplyDeleteTILSO JAPAN was an import company formed by L Batlin & Son in 1913 he ran an antique business then after depression formed this import co. named after wife and daughter Tille, Sonia. Till 1976 Hope this helps some I have a religious statue with tag as yours. Dreamersgal(Linda)
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