Over the years, teapots have evolved from strictly functional to strikingly sculptural, giving rise to shapes and sizes as varied as the artists who make them. Ceramics will undoubtedly continue to dominate as the medium of choice, although silver, which throughout the Victorian Age equaled that of porcelain, is seeing a recent rise in popularity among artists and collectors. Although glass, wood and other metals are more unusual, they too are generating interest. With such a wide range of choices, it becomes more important than ever for collectors to focus their acquisitions. Listen to yourself and determine what works for you, Ferrin advises.
Collectors shape their collections the same way that artists shape their bodies of work.
Collecting is their creative output, so making those choices can bring a great deal of enjoyment. Some people focus on the narrative aspects of teapots. Abstract pieces appeal to others who are intrigued by the simple aspects of the form, such as the proportions of the various elements spout, handle, body, lid, foot. Others will choose an area in which to install a collection and buy pieces based on how they work together. Red Weldon Sandlin creates sculptural interpretations of classical literature that sit on a wooden trompe l oeil book base.