Antique Japanese Hand Warm Brazier, 1927 - 1945 (Early Showa) | SKU: 26M-838 (26M-838-1)

Japanese Teaburi Hand Warmer Brazier | Antique Incense Burner & Living Room Accent, 1927-1945 (Early Showa), SKU 26M-838-1

A richly cast bronze teaburi with archaic-style relief ornament and pierced chrysanthemum lid -- a rare and sculptural piece of Japanese antique metalwork.

A teaburi is a traditional Japanese hand-warming brazier, designed to hold smoldering charcoal or ash so that warmth could be drawn close during cold seasons. This handcrafted Japanese bronze example is a particularly refined specimen, cast in a globular form that rests on a stepped pedestal base and fitted with a finely pierced lid. The lid is densely modeled with chrysanthemum blossoms in high relief, interrupted by an oval carry-handle at the center -- a design that allowed warm air to circulate gently upward while the brazier was in use. The broad belly of the vessel is covered in an intricate ground of fine hexagonal tortoiseshell diaper, over which bold raised scroll and cloud-collar motifs appear in the archaic Chinese bronze style known in Japan as kantei-fu -- a popular decorative vocabulary during the nationalistic aesthetic climate of the Early Showa period. Paired ring handles on either side complete the composition, each suspended from a simple lug, adding both utility and visual rhythm. The overall patina is a deep, warm brown-black consistent with aged bronze, and the casting throughout is sharp and confident -- the work of a skilled foundry.

Today this striking piece translates beautifully into a modern interior as a sculptural living room accent or display object. Its compact, rounded form and dark patina pair effortlessly with a wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi-style shelf arrangement. Set on a sideboard, mantelpiece, or entryway console, it draws the eye with the same quiet authority it commanded in a Showa-era sitting room. The interior bowl -- visible with the lid removed -- is spacious enough to serve as a decorative vessel for dried botanicals, smooth stones, or potpourri, making it a unique housewarming gift or a standout piece for any collector of vintage Japanese craft and antique Asian metalwork.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1927-1945 (Early Showa)
• Material: Cast bronze with dark brown patina
• Use: Teaburi -- hand-warming brazier for holding charcoal or ash to provide warmth
• Modern Use: Living room decorative accent; display vessel for dried botanicals or stones; entryway statement piece
• Features: Globular body on stepped pedestal base; all-over hexagonal diaper ground with bold raised archaic scroll and cloud-collar relief (kantei-fu style); pierced domed lid with densely modeled chrysanthemum blossoms in high relief; oval carry-handle at lid center; paired ring handles suspended from lugs on the body; deep warm brown-black patina throughout; lid removable
• Dimensions: 9"W x 9"D x 9"H
• Condition: Excellent

A museum-worthy example of Japanese antique metalwork -- the teaburi's archaic ornament and glowing bronze patina make it an enduring living room accent for collectors and Japanophiles alike.

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.