High quality antique Meiji Japanese iron kettle (tetsubin) by Ryubundo (龍文堂)

Description: This is a very good quality antique Japanese cast iron tea kettle (tetsubin) made by the renowned and celebrated Ryubundō (“Ryubun workshop”) in Kyoto. It is a good size for six to eight persons, with a capacity of about 1050 ml. It has a simple, traditional and elegant motif of a spray of leaves on the outside of the body and a polished bronze lid with an attractive finial. It has a flat round shape, with a capacity of about 35 fluid ounces (1.05 litre) It is about 15 cm in diameter and 12 cm high (to the top of finial). I believe that it dates to mid-Meiji to late-Meiji in age (say 1880-1920). It is in very good antique condition with an attractive patina on the bronze lid. There is some rust (from use) on the inside of the kettle, but this is not serious and can be removed using the 'green tea' method. There are some scratches on the underside of the lid, but these also are not serious. Shiho Ryubun (1735-1798) pioneered the production of tetsubin in Kyoto circa 1764, using a lost wax casting technique to decorate the outside of the body. His workshop became known as Ryubundō (龍文堂). I have read that every successive director of the workshop has been talented not only in metalworking, but also in painting, calligraphy, and poetry. Consequently, aristocratic, literati tastes are features of Ryubundō tetsubin. From the middle of the Edo Period (1603-1868), when tea culture was popular throughout Japan, the development of Ryubundō reached a pinnacle, and this continued to the latter part of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Ryubundō ceased operations in the modern era. Tetsubin (鉄瓶) are Japanese cast-iron kettles with a pouring spout, a lid, and a handle crossing over the top, used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking purposes, such as for making tea. Kyusu are actual teapots and may be enamelled and contain tea strainers, as in this case. Tetsubin have been used in Japan for more than 400 years to boil water for tea. I have many other antique and vintage Japanese pieces for sale. Why don't you check them out? Hit the button at the top right for "Seller's other items".

Price: 300 AUD

Location: West Pennant Hills, NSW

End Time: 2025-02-10T08:37:42.000Z

Shipping Cost: 61.96 AUD