Japanese cast iron tea kettle - Cast Iron - Small
Not sure if this is a tetsukyusu or Tetsubin... believe it to be raw iron inside, not enameled, so leaning towards second. A collector told me that this is likely from the Marioku Nanbu region/era, and told a fanciful story about it being used by Geishas to brew a single cup of tea for their client.... No idea if that is true. This came from an estate sale, with a lot of 1920's and 30's doll house toys made of wood and cast iron... Obviously, wrong scale for a doll house, although quite small The pattern on the sides appears to me to be cherry blossoms? I could be wrong, but that's what it looks like. Google lens did not find a match for me. Appears to be near perfect condition, I can see no flaws. No marks of any kind.
4 3/4" across, 3" to top of lid, 4 3/4" to top of handle
Other
Yes
Certainly! Here’s an appraisal for the client:
Appraisal for Japanese Cast Iron Tea Kettle
Hello,
This item is a small Japanese cast iron tea kettle, which based on your description, seems to be more of a Tetsubin than a Tetsukyusu, due to its raw iron interior. Tetsubin are traditionally used to boil water for tea and often have intricate designs, which in this case, appear to depict cherry blossoms—a common and culturally significant motif in Japanese art. The lack of enamel and possible origin from the Marioku Nanbu region further support this identification.
Condition:
The kettle is described as being in near-perfect condition, with no visible flaws or markings. The lack of any maker’s marks or signatures does somewhat limit the kettle’s value, but the pristine condition and aesthetic appeal still make it a desirable piece.
Provenance:
The kettle was acquired from an estate sale alongside 1920s-1930s dollhouse toys, indicating it may have been in the possession of a collector or someone with a keen interest in antique items. While the anecdotal story of its use by Geishas adds a layer of charm, it would require further verification to impact the valuation significantly.
To be clear, not disappointed with dollar value.... but the quality of the appraisal added nothing that I didn't already have and share with you. I went to a reputed expert because I couldn't find out anything about this on my own.... I would expect something more than just rewriting the information I gave you. Why do you think this is from Marioku Nambu? Just because a collector told me that?
Very disappointed with this... All you did was repeat the information I gave you.