Up for a little teapot theology? When I was in Anniston, Alabama, over the weekend to visit family, I popped in an antique store, and I came across one of these vintage Wedgwood teapots I’ve wanted for years, one with a quote on it. This particular design is a reproduction of one of John Wesley’s teapots. (The quote is by John Cennick, another Methodist minister, not John Wesley, BTW.)
The teapot and matching sugar and creamer were just $50 for the set, which I knew was a great price, but I thought, “Hmm. It’s Christmas. I better not.” Then as I was about to leave the booth, I glanced at the “50 percent off” signs all around me and quickly changed my mind. Twenty-five dollars for all? Yes, please.
In a bit of serendipity, earlier that week, I had been reading about John’s brother Charles, who wrote the words to “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” While going down a rabbit hole online this week, I learned that the song was originally written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Gutenberg printing press. (So as we sing this hymn, which was later given a holier purpose, maybe we should also give thanks to the Lord for the printing press, without which we wouldn't have our copies of the Bible or, I presume, the printed words that became back stamps on teapots.)
I’ve still got more research to do, but apparently, John Wesley had a gallon-sized teapot made for him by Wedgwood, and one source said Wesley drank tea for energy. I also read online that the teapot’s design was inspired by one of Mrs. Wesley’s gowns. But the most fascinating thing of all to me is that Wesley himself appears to have had some great concerns about the perils of excessive tea drinking! (You can google “Letter to a Friend, Concerning Tea” if you’re interested.)
As a lifelong Methodist, I am surprised that I’d never heard of this style of teapot! I’m glad you found one.
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