Miniature Blue & White Chinese Landscape Teapot (Decoration Only, Marked "Not For Food") 🇨🇳🏔️🚫
This is a Unique Miniature Decorative Teapot from China, featuring a classic blue and white underglaze with traditional mountain landscape scenes.
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Warning: Explicitly marked "FOR DECORATION ONLY NOT FOR FOOD" on the base.
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Aesthetic: Traditional Chinese Export Ceramic Style, Miniature Novelty.
| Dimension | Measurement (Approximate) |
| Height | Approx. 4.25 inches (Based on ruler image) |
| Width | Approx. 3.5 inches (Spout to handle) |
| Capacity | Miniature/Novelty (Display piece) |
2. Item Details & Design ✨🎨
The teapot's structure and painted details mimic larger, historical Chinese vessels:
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Shape: Tall, faceted (square/octagonal) body with a square opening and lid.
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Decoration: Hand-painted landscape vignettes on the main panels, featuring stylized mountains, clouds, and traditional houses/pagodas. Geometric Greek key patterns decorate the neck.
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Color: Deep cobalt blue applied thickly to the handle and spout, with lighter brushwork for the landscape scenes.
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Backstamp: Printed in blue underglaze: MADE IN CHINA FOR DECORATION ONLY NOT FOR FOOD.
3. Historical/Period Context 🌏🕰️
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Period: Late 20th Century (c. 1980s–1990s). This period saw a massive expansion of collectible ceramics exports from China.
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Significance: The explicit "Decoration Only" stamp serves as a fascinating piece of modern export regulatory history, indicating compliance with international safety standards regarding materials not suitable for food use. This detail is a collectible feature in its own right.
4. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐
This item is perfect for:
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Collectors specializing in Miniature Teapots and Novelty Figurals.
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Enthusiasts of Chinese Blue and White Export Ceramics.
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Buyers interested in Ceramic Oddities or pieces with unique, cautionary stamps.
5. Condition & Valuation 💎💰
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Condition: Very Good Vintage Condition. The ceramic body is intact, and the painted decoration is bright. No chips or cracks are visible. Minor imperfections in the painting are part of the hand-painted production style.
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Rarity: Moderate (Miniature teapots are common, but this specific mold and explicit stamp combination are less frequently encountered).
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Valuation Strategy: Price is driven by the unique, explicit warning on the base and the highly appealing traditional Chinese landscape miniature design.