Hervidor de té japonés de metal mixto del período Meiji, con relieve de aves y flores en oro y plata

Gold and silver birds alight among flowering branches across the patinated body of this compact Meiji tea kettle, a functional vessel transformed into decorative metalwork. It speaks to collectors who find mastery in restraint and history in a surface patina.

The Piece

This refined Meiji-period metal tea kettle shows Japanese decorative metalwork (kōgei) at a high level, turning a functional vessel into a sculptural expression of nature and symbolism. Using mixed-metal techniques, the patinated body is adorned with gold and silver relief depicting birds among flowering branches, motifs associated with renewal, harmony and spiritual elevation.

Compact yet visually rich, the kettle joins technical command to seasonal philosophy. It is a collectible example of functional art from Japan's kōgei tradition, and examples of this quality are increasingly scarce outside institutional collections.

It belongs with serious tea objects, Meiji export art, or curated displays exploring Japan's transformation into a modern artistic power, and suits advanced tea-ware collections and Japanese art displays alike.

Details

• Era: Meiji period (late 19th–early 20th century)
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Patinated metal with gold and silver relief (mixed-metal technique)
• Motif: Birds and flowering branches
• Measurements: Approx. 14.5 × 10.8 × 13.5 cm

Condition

• Visible surface wear, patina and age-related marks consistent with period metalwork.
• No major structural damage observed; please review the images carefully.

Authenticity & Care

Attribution rests on stylistic analysis, construction methods and the documentation available; the kettle is unsigned, so the workshop or artist cannot be conclusively identified, and dating is approximate within the Meiji period. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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