Taira-Nami Teapot in Sky Blue

Since the late 14th century when an emperor of the Ming Dynasty decreed that tea be consumed in loose leaf rather than brick form, teapots have shaped the world of tea drinking. While his intention was function, form followed quickly with beautiful craftsmanship and design in teapots in China, Japan and other tea-drinking cultures.

This particular pot was created expressly for the swiftly growing and renowned tea company Le Palais des Thés. While Palais des Thés is located in Paris, founder François-Xavier Delmas travels across the world to taste different teas and work the best farmers. Over the past 25 years, he has extended this same prowess to finding the best possible tea-drinking accessories.

The Taira-Nami teapot was designed exclusively for Delmas and Palais des Thés. The sky-blue colors and stormy sea motif engraved on its side are in homage to the Japanese artist Hokusai. It's perfect for tea for two, or for a memorable housewarming gift.

What You Should Know
Height: 2.8 in.
Diameter: 6.3 in.
Material: Cast iron
Capacity: 20.3 oz.

This model is enameled. The interior surfaces are coated with a protective, food-safe varnish.

—Katy Andersen

Katy Andersen studied cheese in Italy as a Fulbright Scholar before joining Lot18 as the Gourmet Food Specialist. Katy grew up on an organic farm, surrounded by a garden, an heirloom apple orchard and heritage livestock. While at Princeton University, she founded the Greening Princeton Farmers Market and the Princeton Slow Food chapter. Most recently, Katy was co-president of the Wine & Cuisine Society at the Harvard Business School. She was also a member of the winning finalist team of the Bordeaux blind-tasting competition at Lafite in 2011.