I have sold pottery of all kinds for nine years now, most of that time on ebay. Much of what I sold in the past was of the "collector" variety - vintage or antique pieces sought by collectors for decorative value, but no longer usable for daily food serving. This is because much of the old pottery on the collector or resale market today contains lead glazes that can be harmful to your health. Especially when serving hot liquids like tea or coffee which contain acids that can accelerate the leaching of lead into your beverage.

So, I began looking for alternatives and discovered that much of the china -- even from the best porcelain houses you can imagine -- is actually being manufactured in China. Now, we owe much to China when it comes to porcelain and pottery -- in fact the entire culture of tea would not exist were it not for the early traders who brought back the secrets of ceramics from the orient. But, despite claims by pottery makers about the safety of their wares, I remain concerned about food wares that are manufactured in China today -- even those that I sell -- and I post a warning on my listings about that.

BUT, I also offer tea sets from an outstanding English pottery company, ROYAL PATRICIAN, which produces its fine bone china in England (except for a small line which is made in China which I do not offer.) The English bone china offered by Royal Patrician is simply exquisite, and absolutely food safe. It is also gorgeous, brand new, and ready to become a family heirloom in your family. Also makes fabulous wedding and special occasion gifts. Expensive? Not when you consider the quality. Buy cheap you get cheap. Cheap pottery stains easily, chips easily and frankly is a very poor investment. Might as well buy styrafoam cups! But investing in quality bone china will give you a lifetime and generations worth of value, beauty and pleasure! And you won't have to worry about the cumulative effects of lead glazes everytime you serve a cup of tea!