After water, tea is the most frequently consumed beverage on the face of the earth. In ancient China tea was regarded as one of the seven daily necessities of life; for many Japanese it has served as a ritual element in the quest for enlightenment. In England afternoon tea holds an immutable place in the popular imagination, while in the United States it is often associated with the American Revolution.



While various teas have been prepared in an assortment of ways and have played parts in countless culinary practices, it is also important to note that tea is and nearly always been a highly important commodity. As such, it has played a variety of striking and often paradoxical roles on the world stage--an ancient health remedy, an element of cultural practice, a source of profound spiritual insights, but also a catalyst for brutal international conflict, drug trafficking, crushing taxes, and horrific labor conditions.

In the course of Steeped in History, editor Beatrice Hohenegger and eleven distinguished historians and art historians trace the impact of tea from its discovery in ancient China to the present-day tea plantations of Assam, crossing oceans and continents in the process. In so doing, they examine the multitude of ways in which tea has figured in the visual and literary arts. These include not only the myriad vessels fashioned for the preparation, presentation, and consumption of tea but also tea-related scenes embellishing ceramics and textiles and forming the subject of paintings, drawings, caricature, songs, and poetry.

Opens a window onto the long cultural, culinary, and historical journey of tea
Reviews

"It offers insightful glimpses of history in an attractively designed format that rewards both casual browsing and close reading. . . . Hohenegger and her collaborators have given us much to think about when we think of tea."

-- Mimi Hellman * Gastronomica *

"Editor and guest curator Hohenegger masterfully combines serious history and museology . . . The literature and 250-plus illustrations make this a good addition for libraries and anyone interested in tea culture and history. Summing up: Highly recommended."

* Choice *

"A seminal work of meticulous scholarship, informed and informative, thoroughly reader friendly, and a delight to simply browse through, Steeped in History: The Art of Tea is enthusiastically recommended for personal, academic, and community library collections."

* The Midwest Book Review *

"This book is beautiful and informative.... 12 contributors in all unite the history of tea and the history of art, from east to west."

* The Tea House Times *

"Full of fascinating pictures, this tribute to tea is a must for those interested in learning more about the background of their best-loved beverage.... Steeped in History captures the beauty of the art inspired by tea while also regaling the reader with the details of its history."

* Tea Time Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780977834419
Author Beatrice Hohenegger
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Fowler Museum of Cultural History,U.S.
Publisher Fowler Museum of Cultural History,U.S.
Weight(grams) 1179g