This time of year we almost drink more tea than in winter — especially with the weather not being able to make up its mind. We have two vintage insulated French teapots we adore (one steel, one copper) found at flea markets over the years and you can't beat their simple, smart design, and how they keep tea warm for hours. Ours aren't marked, and whenever people ask us where they can buy one, we never know where to suggest. But we finally tracked down this French classic and a few places you can buy it...
The Salam teapot was first produced in 1953 by french silversmith Guy Degrenne. It's made of double-walled bone china, and insulated by a felt-lined stainless steel cozy which fits over it like a sleeve. Our vintage flea-market versions have a simple bone china top under the cozy, but the new teapots have a convenient fitted strainer that makes brewing loose tea a lot easier. The design is classic and modern, and goes well with any kitchen style.
our vintage teapots
We found several sites that sell this classic French teapot, and they run from $80 upwards (or keep an eye on ebay for vintage versions)! The price for a new one may seem steep (we couldn't resist that pun) but we can attest that it's about as perfect a design as we've ever seen for a teapot — easy to use and clean, and will last forever. It also keeps tea at the perfect temperature for hours. It seems to be available new in 2, 4 or 6-cup sizes.
>>>> available at Mighty Leaf tea company for $80
>>> 6-cup version available at Williams-Sonoma for $99
>>> also available at P.O.S.H. Chicago and Manufactum
Love this!
view Amy A's profile
Good morning!
This little pot has been a part of my ritual for awhile now:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/3482615193/
I bought mine at P.O.S.H., a little boutique on State St. in the River North neighborhood in Chicago.
view art's profile
I suspect that this teapot was modeled on the custome-designed one used in the Mariage Frères Tea Salon since the 1930s. If you go to Paris and have tea at their Salon, it will come in this pot.
You can buy them on the Mariage Frères website; the come in either black or white porcelain, and in 3 sizes.
It is a little difficult to find them on the site: first click on the red bar at the bottom of the page (Tea Counter), then Teapots & Teacups in the new window (not the old!), the on Porcelain Teapots, then "See Them All", and scroll using the inner scroll bar. (If you didn't know they were there, you might never find them!)
view mschatelaine's profile
Nifty! I might need one of these!
view SherryBinNH's profile
art, I love your tea ritual and photo! I saw the teapot at P.O.S.H online store as well and linked to them at the end of the post.
I just got completely lost for a while in your flickr photos, they are great (they also made me so hungry). You look like such a creative chef and I love all of your inspiring food photographs! I hope you have a restaurant in Chi.
Jeanine
view j9brennan's profile
Art --
wish you would do a post on huazontles! That looks fascinating and delicious!
view mschatelaine's profile
Thanks guys!
mschatelaine: I'll do a post on huazontle this summer--it will be included in a lamb's quarters post (there's a clue in there, regarding this plant).
view art's profile
I just scored a tea kettle for $45.00 plus s/h on ebay. So happy! Keep an eye out on ebay, if anyone is interested, as these are pretty pricey new.
view junklover's profile
I meant $45.00 including s/h...for a teapot. I wish I could edit a post on this site. Is there a way to do that?
view junklover's profile
Please note that the Dutch company Bredemeijer also sells these teapots... the design is a little different but they are also really nice and great for daily use!
http://www.bredemeijer.nl/producten/COSY®%20MANTO/1490/5/
view Mlle_j's profile
In your pictures of vintage teapots, the gorgeous one on the far left is clearly different than the Guy Degrenne model now copied and sold in many places. We have one just like it, bought at a brocante in Paris. Do you know what it is? Obviously in the Salam "family" or style, but different, and apparently not reproduced recently.
view odette's profile