Antique Cast Iron Tea Kettle (Tetsubin) with Temple Shrine on Lid, Japan (1799)

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 used only to boil water. Made from clay molds, they are  renown for their zen simplicity and elegant shapes.  Their iron content makes boiled water for tea richer, sweeter and more mellow. The iron content provides additional health benefits and its iron structure keeps the water hot longer.

This unique Meiji  pot is enhanced by it surface texture, unique shape and temple ornamental knob on its lids. Tetsubin have been popular with collectors and considered as status symbols. It has 2 manufacturer’s seals on its side.  The outside of this one is in excellent condition. like all old Tetsubin cast iron kettles, has developed rust on the bottom which is completely normal and can be removed by boiling green tea inside the pot.

They are wonderful gifts for tea lovers. It is recommended for display only to enhance any style kitchen.