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How to Collect Ceramic Japanese and Chinese Tea Sets

The tea ritual in Japan and China has been around since medieval times and is tied to the religion and history of the countries. There is an entire ritual tied to the act of drinking tea that includes using certain gestures, tools and types of tea. It is this rich history that makes collecting ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets so interesting and fun. In the past, collecting ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets would mean spending hours combing antique stores, garage sales and thrift stores. But with the Internet, it is now possible to browse online auction sites like eBay or Craigslist to find prized antiques. Online is also a great place to peruse blogs, newsletters and sites of other antique collectors and connect with other collectors all over the world.

Things You'll Need

Internet
Classified ads
Computer

Instructions

- 1
  Determine how you'd like to begin your collection. Perhaps you've already gotten some pieces, and would like to complete the set, or you're interested in growing the collection. Either way, it's a good idea to pick a general direction you'd like to go with your collection. Decide if there are specific pieces you need (to complete a set, for example) or if you'd just like to add them as you find them. Reading or joining an online blogs for collectors with similar interests is a good place to learn about ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets, their history and value.
- 2
  Decide how you would like to search for the ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets. If part of the fun is discovering them in unlikely places, then you'll probably enjoy venturing out to garage sales, thrift stores or antique shops. If you've got some specific pieces in mind, however, then the Internet or classified ads are a good place to start. Learning about the individual tea sets is part of the fun, as there is a rich history and symbolism to each set.
- 3
  Determine how much you'd like to pay for the ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets. This is a good thing to have in mind, no matter which avenue you choose for locating the tea sets. That way, when confronted with a price you can immediately accept or decline, according to your budget. Keep in mind that when shopping online you'll have to pay for shipping as well, so factor that in to the price. Also, remember that you're likely to pay more for a rare collection, unusual piece, or a tea set that comes with a rich history.
- 4
  Choose a location for storing or displaying your ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets. It may be that you want to mix them together or possibly set special sets in a more visible spot. This may help in determining what type of tea sets that you want to purchase and how many. Interesting collections, like ceramic Japanese and Chinese tea sets are conversation starters, and oftentimes telling the story of discovering the set, or the history behind it, is where you'll get the greatest joy.

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