Blue Pottery Fascination

I have been extremely fond of blue pottery. I already possess collection of blue pottery from Jaipur and to add to the collection came the Chinese blue  pottery which I recently got during a month long trip to China last month. Well another reason for my absence on my blog besides the unavailability of internet while travelling was shopping! My fetish for tea set collection got boosted in the midst of Chinese ceramics.

Blue and white porcelain dates back to several centuries ago in China when there was a mass production during Yuan Dynasty which passed down to several dynasties in succession. The origin of blue pottery was an amalgamation of Chinese and Islamic trades. The expensive Cobalt blue exported from Persia and the translucent Chinese white porcelain gave rise to excellent quality blue and white wares. The motifs were highly inspired by Chinese dynasties and also Islamic culture. It originated at Jingdezhen centuries back in China and till this day it witnesses the superior quality production of the exquisite blue and white wares. After firing in the kiln at suitable temperature, the decoration is either by hand, by stencilling or transfer printing and other mediums.

The  art  of  glazed  blue  pottery  came  to  India  through  Persia. Rajasthan being the hub of blue pottery, Jaipur  became  a flourishing  center for  blue pottery in the mid 19th century. These days of course blue pottery is available everywhere but the exclusive blue pottery wares found in museums and certain specimens at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur displays fine art and cultural Indian history which is embezzling.

My quest for knowledge about Indian art and culture continues while I pay a humble tribute to discoverers and makers of blue pottery through my artwork.

Blue and White Pottery

Vintage Tea Party

Who would not endorse "Apne Ghar ki Chai" if you are a tea lover to the core? Its fascinating that even the use of exactly same ingredients in the tea brings out completely different flavours and aroma at different households. The level of customization for preparing a simple cuppa tea, comprising of four major components - water, milk, tea leaves and sugar differs for every household. And, its almost a family tradition to literally pass the tea recipe to the next generation to keep the same 'family tea taste' alive.

Vintage Tea Party

Besides enjoying the flavours of tea, I also believe in having the right company and/or perfect ambience. My favourite vintage tea set collection helps me create an ambience which is truly enduring. My vintage tea party theme has become immensely popular amongst my friends' circle. Actually, the tradition of high tea goes back to the 19th century British style of convening mid-afternoon tea and snacks. It may be a fancy concept for some but if you are a part of the party, its extremely refreshing although it promotes indulgence. The typical menu for the high tea party includes cookies, cupcakes, macaroons, butter flavoured croissants and sandwiches. If you are lucky to have a garden, you may organize the party there but if you stay in small matchboxes like myself, even then there is a lot of scope to have the same feel. Crisp bright white table cloth spread along with the cup cake stand, fresh flowers and the cutlery being set to perfection on the table is all what you need to do. Serving varied kinds of teas like hand picked green tea, oolong tea, flavoured teas of apple, lemon, ginger, mint etc as per the preferences can be really good healthy options too. If you are thinking its one of those parties where only gurlz and ladies are invited then you are highly mistaken. Infact its a friends' gathering irrespective of gender. Its a big break from the regular 'dinner with friends' parties at home and gives a chance to everyone to look forward to something different. Of course high tea doesn't have to be grand affair; one can always tweak the concept and customize to the guests' taste while the fun of being together remains priceless as usual. 

Even the kids have lots of fun in such parties as they love to hog on the marshmallows and cupcakes along with gettin a chance to be involved in games played by adults. Rather than having a stereotypical birthday party of your kid at pizza hut or some other fast food joints, children's tea party is a great idea to bank on if you don't have time and space constraints. Mini cupcakes, mini burgers along with hot chocolate (surely preferred over tea by kids) and other goodies can work wonders to make your kids birthday party special and distinct.

My fascination for vintage tea set collection goes as far as scouting and collecting them from the different places I travel across the world.  They are also an inspiration for my painting and complements the tea party.

Vintage Tea Party

Vintage Tea Party