Cast Iron Kettle with High Relief Gilded Dragon & Cloud Motifs, Wavy Handle, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: Overall height 24 cm (9.45 inches), net weight 1907 g, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Condition and Provenance: This teapot was cast using the lost-wax method, resulting in a thick, dense core and a seamless overall appearance. The body retains its original rough texture and thick, natural dark rust, without acid washing, polishing, or artificial aging treatment. The hand-forged, wave-shaped iron handle connects to the body via two movable hinge rings; the granular forging texture on the handle is intact, without bending, cracks, or welding marks, and rotates smoothly. The body is adorned with a striking high-relief carving depicting a giant dragon soaring through the clouds, its head, claws, and scales rendered with remarkable realism and three-dimensionality. Parts of the gilding on the dragon scales are well-preserved, showing even natural wear without extensive gold stripping or re-gilding. The cloud pattern encircling the body is finely carved with sharp, clear edges, free from damage or chips. The original pure copper flat lid is well-preserved, with a lotus-shaped handle adorned with a spherical knob; the lid fits tightly to the spout without deformation. The curved spout is finely cast, ensuring smooth water flow without any gaps or blockages. The bottom retains the unpolished sand casting texture, free of rust holes, leaks, or welding marks. The interior displays a uniform layer of natural oxidation formed over centuries of tea brewing, without corrosion perforations. The entire piece is free of cracks, damage, and repairs; all engraved details are clear and sharp, bearing the marks of time befitting gentle ceremonial use. This teapot was made in a Sino-Japanese joint workshop during the Qing Dynasty and exported overseas in the late Qing period, entering the North American antique teaware market in 2010. It is currently in the collection of a private collector residing in Florida, USA, specializing in East Asian antique teaware. The world's major trading centers for antique teaware are New York State and Vancouver. Description: This Qing Dynasty cast iron teapot, decorated with a high-relief gilded dragon design, is an outstanding collectible embodying the fusion of Chinese and Japanese tea ceremony craftsmanship during the Qing Dynasty. The teapot is crafted using the exquisite lost-wax casting technique, resulting in a balanced bell shape. The spout narrows upwards, while the body widens downwards, specifically designed for boiling tea. The hand-hammered, wave-shaped handle boasts beautiful, flowing lines and features double hinges for easy lifting, offering both a comfortable grip and sculptural aesthetics. The outer surface is covered with a rough, rock-like texture, upon which is carved a three-dimensional dragon coiled amidst layers of cloud patterns. The dragon stands tall and proud, its whiskers flowing, its limbs powerful and robust. Each raised scale on the teapot is partially gilded, the bright gold contrasting sharply with the deep iron, creating a profound texture unmatched by ordinary shallow-carved iron teapots. The matching bronze lid is exquisitely crafted, with a delicate lotus pattern adorning the bottom of the spherical lid, providing a soft and elegant contrast to the rugged cast iron body. The curved spout allows for smooth pouring, preventing spills and making it ideal for everyday tea brewing. When heated with water, cast iron naturally releases trace minerals, softening the water and significantly enhancing the flavor of the tea. Dragon motifs symbolize auspiciousness, prosperity, and progress in Eastern culture, while deep-carved gilding was a luxurious technique used only for top-tier ironware during the Qing Dynasty, making well-preserved examples extremely rare. This teapot retains all its original parts, undamaged and unrepaired, and integrates various traditional techniques such as casting, hand forging, gilding, and metal carving. It not only possesses complete tea-brewing functionality but also exceptional decorative value and academic research significance. It is an ideal centerpiece for a long-term thematic exhibition at a tea culture museum and a coveted classic Qing Dynasty artifact for international collectors of high-end antique teaware.

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