Vintage Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Kettle Pair, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-554

Japanese Tetsubin Cast Iron Kettle Pair | Decorative Accent & Tea Ceremony Display, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-554

A matched pair of handcrafted cast iron tetsubin, each with relief-carved floral motifs and a wooden lid topped with a brass finial -- offered together with their original divided storage box.

A tetsubin is a traditional Japanese cast iron kettle used to boil water for the tea ceremony and everyday domestic use. This rare matched pair exemplifies the quiet mastery of Japanese ironwork: each kettle is hand-cast with a low, rounded body covered in finely textured relief decoration depicting flowering vines and botanical motifs -- a classic design vocabulary drawn from the natural world. The swinging iron bail handle is mounted on decorative cast brackets, and each lid is fashioned from a richly grained hardwood disc fitted with a brass chrysanthemum-form finial, adding a warm contrast of materials. The set retains its original wooden storage box, internally divided to house both kettles side by side and sealed with a rope-tied lid -- an exceptional and increasingly rare survival for a Japanese antique of this type.

In a modern home, this tetsubin pair makes a compelling statement as a living room accent or Japandi-style shelf display. A single kettle placed on a stone or wooden surface brings an immediate wabi-sabi aesthetic to a kitchen counter, entryway console, or home office. Together with their storage box, the set functions beautifully as a collector's vignette -- an evocative conversation piece for any lover of Japanese craft. This is a thoughtful and distinctive gift for collectors, tea ceremony enthusiasts, or anyone drawn to the quiet weight of handcrafted Japanese antique ironware.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Cast iron body; hardwood lid with brass finial; iron bail handle; original softwood storage box with rope tie
• Use: Boiling water for tea ceremony (chado) and domestic use
• Modern Use: Decorative living room or entryway accent; Japandi-style shelf or mantel display; collector's vignette paired with the original storage box
• Features: Matched pair of cast iron tetsubin; relief-carved botanical and floral motifs encircling each body; swinging iron bail handle on cast mounting brackets; hardwood lid with brass chrysanthemum-form finial; original two-compartment wooden storage box with rope-tied lid and brushwork inscription
• Dimensions: 7"W x 5"D x 7"H (each kettle)
• Condition: Good antique condition -- natural age patina and surface oxidation consistent with era; wood lids and storage box intact; please refer to all images for detail.

A rare matched set of Japanese antique cast iron tetsubin -- handcrafted objects that carry the warmth, weight, and beauty of mid-century Japanese craft into any modern interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.