Cast Iron Tea Kettle (Tetsubin) with Temple Shrine on Lid (1799JOK)

Description

Cast iron Tetsubin are teaware kettles produced for hundreds of years and admired by tea aficionados worldwide. These hand-crafted teapots were developed for the Japanese Tea Ceremony (chanoyu) and are metalwork pieces used only to boil water. One-of-a-kind finely crafted Japanese-antiques like this are made using clay molds. Their iron content makes the taste of water boiled for tea richer, sweeter and more mellow; the iron content provides additional health benefits and its iron structure keeps the water hot longer. The surface texture, unique shape and temple ornamental knob on its lids make this pot especially unique and charming. Traditionally these functional-and-utilitarian pouring-vessels have been popular with collectors and considered as status symbols, not simply beautifully designed kitchen-accessories. These antique kettles are wonderful gift  for any tea lover.The outside of this Tetsubin is in excellent condition, although like many antique metal kettles, the inside is rusted and is recommended for display only to enhance any style kitchen.