Antique Cast Iron Tea Kettle (Tetsubin) Lotus Knob, Japan #2007

Description

Cast iron Tetsubin are tea kettles produced for hundreds of years admired by tea aficionados worldwide. These hand-crafted teapots are metalwork pieces used only to boil water traditionally part of the Japanese Tea Ceremony (chanoyu). Their iron content makes the taste of water boiled for tea richer, sweeter and more mellow; the iron provides additional health benefits and its iron structure keeps the water hot longer. Meiji period Tetsubin kettles made using clay molds are renowned for zen simplicity and elegant shapes like this with a scalloped top mirrored by a gently curving handle and short rounded spout, textured surface  divided in four quadrants with meander border designs. The lid is covered a diamond shaped pattern with tiny indentations and topped with a lotus shaped ornamental knob. There is a raised manufacturers seal on the back. Like all old Tetsubin cast iron kettles it has developed rust on the bottom which is completely normal and can be removed by boiling green tea inside the pot. Historically, especially during the 19^th century, Tetsubin teaware was considered as status symbol and beautifully designed kitchen accessories.  As with all antiques, these pieces are purely decorative for display purposes only.