Japanese Cast-Iron Tetsubin Tea Kettle with Copper Lid and Tomobako, Master-Style Ironware, Leak-Tested

Japanese Cast-Iron Tetsubin Tea Kettle

This work is a Japanese cast-iron tea kettle (tetsubin), presented with a copper lid and a wooden storage box (tomobako). The silhouette follows a classic rounded body with a raised neck and a tall handle, a form associated with traditional kettle-making for tea practice and daily hot-water use.

The surface shows age-related patina and visible oxidation, consistent with long-term handling and storage. Iron tea kettles naturally develop tonal variation over time; such wear should be read as material history rather than a flaw, provided the vessel remains structurally stable.

The accompanying description indicates that the kettle has been tested for leakage. Because interior condition, lining status, and the full extent of pitting cannot be verified from photographs alone, this piece should be approached conservatively as a collectible ironware object that may require customary care before practical use.

The copper lid is an important functional and aesthetic component, offering a warmer contrast against the iron body and reinforcing the object’s status as a complete tea implement rather than a decorative fragment. The presence of a fitted wooden box supports careful keeping and suggests the kettle circulated as a preserved utensil.

Attribution language associated with named makers or schools appears in the documentation. Without independent authentication materials beyond what is shown, any maker attribution should be treated as provisional; the object’s value should be grounded primarily in form, casting quality, completeness, and condition.

Overall condition is fair with surface wear and rust present. The kettle remains visually coherent and is suitable for collection, study, or display within Japanese tea culture.

Key Facts

• Material: Cast iron; copper lid; wooden storage box (tomobako)
• Dimensions: H23 cm (incl. handle) × body Ø18 cm × mouth Ø7.6 cm
• Body weight: 1,694 g
• Condition: Fair; patina and oxidation present
• Customs: HS Code 7323.93 | Origin: Japan

Confidence & Verification Notes

Period and maker attribution are based on accompanying documentation and visual assessment and should be treated as approximate. Leak-testing is reported but cannot be independently verified here. Interior condition and practical usability depend on customary inspection and care by the recipient.

Collector’s Resonance

This piece is for collectors who value ironware as lived material culture: weight, patina, and completeness (copper lid and tomobako) over pristine cosmetics. It suits tea-oriented interiors, study collections of Japanese craft, and buyers seeking an authentic tetsubin form with visible age and presence.

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JSP-B Curatorial Footer: Tetsubin sit at the intersection of utility and ritual—objects where craftsmanship, patina, and daily practice become one historical record.