KETTLE HANGING HOOK, JIZAI-KAGI
JAPAN, MEIJI PERIOD, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Auction: 13 March 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
carved keyaki wood, a J-shaped form topped with a pointed “roof”
Dimensions
46 x 35 x 11.5cm
Provenance
Private collection, London, United Kingdom, acquired from the below
Frantz Dufour, Galerie Kanem, Paris
Footnote
The present example, known as a jizaikagi, is the hook from which an iron kettle for making tea was suspended. It was traditionally hung in the centre of the main room of a Japanese house of the Meiji period, above an open hearth in which a fire was constantly lit.
Because the hearth was always visible, this utilitarian item evolved into a decorative piece. Wealthy individuals sought out impressive designs crafted from high-quality wood, carefully shaped and polished.