Vintage Tibetan Temple Purple Bronze Teapot – Inlaid Stone Relief, Long Handle

This Vintage Tibetan Temple Teapot comes from a collection of objects used in Tibetan temples. In Tibetan monasteries, ornate metal teapots and ewers were treasured objects. Monks used them to serve butter tea to the community and to make offerings, and they were often kept on or near the altar. Craftsmen decorated them with raised designs and set them with colorful stones as a sign of respect for the sacred spaces they served.

This piece has been used for an unknown length of time, and it shows. The deep purple-bronze finish has the soft, worn patina that comes only from years of handling. The long, graceful handle and curved spout give it a classic ewer shape, and the relief work and inset stones still catch the light. At about 11 cm (4.3 in) tall, it makes a striking, one-of-a-kind centerpiece for a tea room shelf, home altar, study or curio cabinet. It's a meaningful find for collectors of Himalayan metalwork and anyone drawn to objects with a real past.

Product details

• Provenance: From a collection of Tibetan temple objects
• Age: Likely vintage, exact age unknown
• Condition: Pre-owned, good condition with natural wear and patina from use
• Material: Metal with aged purple-bronze (zi tong) finish, red lacquer accents and inset decorative stones
• Design: Relief decoration with long handle and curved spout
• Size: About 11 cm (4.3 in) tall × 18 cm (7.1 in) long
• Weight: About 1.19 kg (2.6 lb) including packaging
• Use: Decorative display only; not for food or drink
• Package includes: 1 × vintage teapot (one of a kind; the item pictured is the item you'll receive)