Large kettle with crescent handle,

late 19th–early 20th century

late 19th–early 20th century

Asia, Japan

A large cast-iron kettle (tetsubin 鉄瓶) with a pouring spout, a wrought iron cresent-shape handle crossing over the top, and a bronze lid used for boiling and pouring water for purposes such as making tea. Starting from a flat rounded bottom, the sides step out at a level just under the bottom of the spout and rise to flat top rim decorated with six circular designs on each side of the handle. The circular lid has a revolving lobed knob over a decorative medallion on the lid surface. On the bottom of the lid is the makers’ inscription.

Ryūbundō is the company name of a famous Kyoto metalwork studio. Founded by Shikata Yasunosuke (1786-1841) who took the name Ryūbundō when he moved from Tamba Province to Kyoto. Eight consecutive generations managed the studio for nearly a century and continued to specialize in iron kettles from the end of the Edo period to Showa 33 (1958). The company was famous for their high-quality tetsubin during the Meiji to the Taisho era.