I was asked if I would like "anything" from Beijing and realize that I would like a tea pot and set of proper Chinese tea cups.

In the past, we have purchased fabric items, books, tapes, etc., but nothing of this sort. Can anyone advise us where in the city to make such a purchase? I am interested in something of quite decent quality but not very expensive. (I know that that is vague but I don't even know what the options are.) Second, we would appreciate advice on shipping or hand carrying on the return flight.

Many thanks for any ideas.

It sounds like what you might want is an Yixing (spelled varous ways) pot. These pots are typically rather small, they are of unglazed clay, so come in a range of colors from buff to rust (though I've seen ones almost turquoise and ones sort of a grey-blue). They are exquisitely crafted, perfectly balanced and pour beautifully. They are signed by the individual potters. There is a range of prices, from perhaps US$25-75 for most of the better pots. I have accumulated a number of them from my travels. Some are very minimalist in design, others are eleborate imitations of a squash or gourd, for instance, with curling tendrils and leaves.

I typically hand-carry mine home, as they are small and fit easily with other precious purchases in my carry-on. On the other hand, I purchased several in Hong Kong that were so well-packed that I put them in my checked luggage and they came through beaautifully.

One word of advise - My husband purchased several gorgeous teasets years ago in Hong Kong. We tested them for lead and and they were off the charts (We also tested several sets of Mexican dishes which were not nearly as toxic.)

So, a lead-safe Yixing pot and cups sounds exactly like what I want -- thanks for the suggestions.

Kathie, your collection sounds lovely!

Crosscheck, thanks for the reminder about safety issues. What is the procedure for testing for lead? Is it expensive? At all destructive of the piece?

Thanks again.

crosscheck, generally lead problems show up most often in glazed pottery... were the teasets you mention glazed or unglazed?

We did the lead testing 17 years ago when I met my husband. I suspected that his Chinese dishes were laden with lead and he was dubious about my Mexican ones. Used a kit that I'm sure you can now get on the internet, similar to a pregnancy test kit. Doesn't harm the pottery at all - You mix chemicals inside a cup or bowl, wait a few minutes and wait for the potion to change color. Both Chinese sets - one glazed, one unglazed - turned black, which showed they had the highest possible lead content. My Mexican dishes, unglazed, were borderline. We haven't used any of them for food since. (Now many Mexican shops advertise "lead-free" pottery...Perhaps that has been the trend in China as well.)

Interesting, crosscheck. Good to know.

Thank you -- this has been very helpful. I forwarded it to my shopper. I'll report back if anything passes muster and makes it back to Boston.

Just checked and it seems the lead testing industry has evolved in the last 17 years. There are many products on the market but these packets seem the most user-friendly. Looks as if you can do an instant test in a market or shop before you buy.
http://www.leadinspector.com/

This is fascinating and very helpful. Thank you for following up on the testing issue.

Kathie, where do I buy Yixing in HK??? Never thought of this but now in NEED to buy it. I love pottery! I have limited time in HK so I must just go to source. Thanks! I must stop reading this board or take longer trips. So much to do..so little time.

Elainee, I can picture the place, but can I come up with the name? Noooo. I'll take a look at my travel journal and get back to you.

Elainee, my journal reveals that we purchased teapots at two places. Ying Kee, the tea shop with branches in several places in Hong Kong had nice Yixing teapots at good prices. We bought lots of our favorite Dragon Pearl tea there as well.

China Arts and Crafts, a big department store on the Kowloon side, had a huge array of Yixing teapots that were on sale for 30% off, but after some talking, we got two pots for the price of one. I don't know if they always have this kind of selection or not.

Kathie, thanks for the information. Last time we were in China Arts and Crafts we got excellent stuff (table linens, silk scarfs, etc.)at very good prices and then got a lottery ticket for more purchases. I love shopping there.