Lot 150 A SET OF TWO IRON SAKÉ KETTLES JAPANESE, MEIJI TO TAISHŌ PERIOD (LATE 19TH – EARLY 20TH CENTURY)

This elegant set of two Japanese saké kettles is crafted in cast iron with a robust, melon-ribbed form and exudes the refined aesthetics of late Meiji to early Taishō period metalwork.
Each kettle features a warm, textured iron body with a flattened, lobed silhouette, reflecting both functionality and artistry. The kettles are crowned with exquisitely decorated cloisonné enamel lids, showcasing vibrant floral and cloud motifs in turquoise, ivory, crimson, and gold hues — a brilliant contrast to the rustic surface of the iron.
The handles are elegantly arched in brass or gilt bronze, affixed with decorative floral pivots and shaped for ergonomic lifting. The knobs at the center of the lids are cast in a chrysanthemum-like finial design, tying the entire composition together with a symbol of imperial dignity and seasonal beauty.
These kettles were traditionally used for warming saké in ceremonial or domestic settings and now serve as striking decorative or collectible objects, embodying the artistry of Japanese metalwork, enamel, and craft tradition. An exceptional pair for connoisseurs of tea and saké culture, Asian antiques, or wabi-sabi interiors.
23 x 15 cm.