Vintage Japanese Cast Iron Tetsubin Polychrome Lotus Pond Dragonfly Brass Lid Showa 8"W LS#148

Japanese cast iron tetsubin (鉄瓶) — globular marugata form with polychrome painted lotus pond and dragonfly decoration, brass lid with silver plum blossom finial; unused

Vintage Japanese Shōwa Era, mid-20th century

A globular tetsubin sharing the same form and brass lid as its workshop companions, distinguished by polychrome painted decoration and an exceptionally fine state of preservation — the interior clean and unoxidized, indicating the piece was never put into use. The body carries a summer lotus pond scene rendered in polychrome enamel over cast iron: broad green lily pads, a white lotus flower (hasu, 蓮) with red center, smaller white buds, and gold stem and root work below, with a gold dragonfly (tonbo, 蜻蛉) in flight above. The lotus-and-dragonfly combination is a quintessential Japanese summer motif — the lotus rising pure from muddy water carrying Buddhist associations of enlightenment, the dragonfly a symbol of courage, strength, and the fleeting beauty of the season.

The flat brass lid is surmounted by a finely cast five-petal plum blossom (ume) form silver-metal base supporting a faceted vase-form cap with amber glass bead — a third distinct finial variation within this workshop group. Copper bail handle with warm graduated patina.

• Form: Marugata (globular)
• Decoration: Polychrome painted lotus pond with dragonfly; hasu ni tonbo (蓮に蜻蛉) motif; green, white, red, and gold
• Lid: Flat brass with silver five-petal plum blossom finial, amber bead
• Handle: Copper bail
• Dimensions: 8" W × 9" H (20 × 23 cm)
• Period: Shōwa, mid-20th century

Condition: Unused/new old stock. Interior clean and unoxidized. Exterior very fine. Please see photos for details.