A silver kettle wrapped in iron

Meiji period (late 19th century), sealed Sobi (Yamada Sobi; 1871-1916)

Details

A silver kettle wrapped in iron
Meiji period (late 19th century), sealed Sobi (Yamada Sobi; 1871-1916)
The compressed globular form with a spout, the body and lid finely hammered and wrapped in iron, applied with hammered iron handle, the lid set with a round finial partially applied with gold, signature on body
5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm.) wide

Literature

Kuo Hong-Sheng and Chang Yuan-Feng, chief eds. et al., Meiji no bi / Splendid Beauty: Illustrious Crafts of the Meiji Period (Taipei: National Taiwan Normal University Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics, 2013), pp. 226-227.

Exhibited

Preparatory Office of the National Headquarters of Taiwan Traditional Arts, “Japan Arts of Meiji Period; Asia-Pacific Traditional Arts Festival Special Exhibition.” 2011.7.8-2012.1.8. cat. p. 92.
“Meiji Kogei: Amazing Japanese Art,” shown at the following venues: Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, 2016.9.7-10.30. Hosomi Museum, Kyoto, 2016.11.12-12.25. Kawagoe City Art Museum, 2017.4.22-6.11. cat. no. 88.

Brought to you by

Priscilla Kong

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Lot Essay

This is a rare example of silver kettle wrapped in iron. Wrapping silver in iron is exceptionally difficult due to the different density of the two materials. In order to avoid damage or dent on the silver body, the thin iron sheet needs to be delicately hammered and applied.

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