<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject . You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate . (October 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A tea set or tea service, in the Western tradition, is a set of dishes sold in a group for use at afternoon tea or a formal tea party . A tea set includes up to 25 objects . </P> <P> The accepted history of the tea set begins in China during the Han Dynasty (206--220 BC). At this time, tea ware was made of porcelain and consisted of two styles: a northern white porcelain and a southern light blue porcelain . It is important to understand that these ancient tea sets were not the creamer / sugar bowl companions we know today . Rather, as is stated in a third - century AD written document from China, tea leaves were pressed into cakes or bricks . These patties were then crushed and mixed with a variety of spices, including orange, ginger, onions, and flower petals . Hot water was poured over the mixture, which was both heated and served in bowls, not teapots . The bowls were multi-purpose, and used for a variety of cooking needs . In this period, evidence suggests that tea was mainly used as a medicinal elixir, not as a daily drink for pleasure's sake . </P> <P> Historians believe the teapot was developed during the Song Dynasty (960--1279 AD) An archaeological dig turned up an ancient kiln that contained the remnants of a Yixing teapot . Yixing teapots, called Zi Sha Hu in China and Purple Sand teapots in the U.S., are perhaps the most famous teapots . They are named for a tiny city located in Jiangsu Province, where a specific compound of iron ore results in the unique coloration of these teapots . They were fired without a glaze and were used to steep specific types of oolong teas . Because of the porous nature of the clay, the teapot would gradually be tempered by using it for brewing one kind of tea . This seasoning was part of the reason to use Yixing teapots . In addition, artisans created fanciful pots incorporating animal shapes . </P>

Bowl used as part of a tea service
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