Steeped: Tea as Muse
Tea is the second-most highly consumed daily drink in the world, after water. While enjoying tea is a social custom — a pot almost always holds enough for at least two cups — it can be experienced in solitude to delight in the ordinary moments. It is a source of hospitality and a gesture of friendship. Sipped across the globe, tea has played an important role in shaping cultures, economies, and customs throughout history.
With origins going back to 2750 BCE China, tea spread along ancient trade routes and gained popularity over time in Japan, India, and Europe. In the mid-17th century, tea was adopted by British royals and upper society. Artisans began crafting teaware to reflect European tastes, and the government began imposing taxes on tea. In 1773, the tax on tea was the center of protest by U.S. patriots seeking independence from English rule, making tea an enduring symbol of power within both nation’s identities.
In this exhibition of teapots and teacups dating from 1200 to 2012, forty-one artists have created tea vessels using materials such as cast iron, terracotta, porcelain, and stoneware. From functional to purely aesthetic, each container is a work of art inspired by the symbolism and uses of tea. Together, they remind us of time, tranquility, harmony, and whimsy.
Organized by the Boise Art Museum