Vintage Japanese Signed Cast Iron Tetsubin Plover Wave Gold Silver Copper Inlay Showa 6.5"W LS#055

Japanese signed cast iron tetsubin (鉄瓶) — squat globular form with takazogan silver wave lines, copper banding, and applied gold plover sea birds; rattan-wrapped handle; unused

Vintage Japanese Shōwa Era, mid-20th century

This compact tetsubin is signed on the base with a cast rectangular cartouche — a four-character maker's mark in cursive script. The body is finished in a distinctly coarse iron-black texture, with an almost volcanic surface character that provides an ideal ground for the inlay decoration.

The takazogan (高彫象嵌 — raised inlay) metalwork wraps the circumference: silver wire wave lines undulate in two registers, flanked by copper accent bands with white inlay striping and concentric circle eye motifs at intervals. Below the wave band, three applied gold fish in relief swim against the dark ground — naïve in form and charming in effect. A brass ring pendant hangs at the front between the handle lugs. The ridged neck band (kuchiberi) is a refined casting detail consistent with quality ironwork. The iron lid, fitted flush with a stepped rim, carries a black lacquered ball finial set on a cast iron four-petal flower base. The rattan-wrapped iron bail handle is fresh and intact. Interior clean and unoxidized — the piece is unused.

The plover-and-wave combination is an auspicious motif with deep roots in Japanese decorative arts, evoking the abundance of the sea and the vitality of living things.

• Form: Squat marugata (globular)
• Decoration: Takazogan silver wave lines; copper banding with white inlay; concentric circle eye motifs; applied gold fish (3); brass ring pendant
• Lid: Cast iron with black lacquered ball finial and iron four-petal flower base
• Handle: Rattan-wrapped iron bail
• Base mark: Four-character cursive cartouche
• Dimensions: 6.5" W × 6.5" H (16.5 × 16.5 cm)
• Period: Shōwa, mid-20th century

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