Japanese Works of Art - 7th December 2020
Lot 373
A LARGE JAPANESE WOOD KETTLE HOOK
Estimate £800 - £1,200 | Hammer £1300
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Description
A LARGE JAPANESE WOOD KETTLE HOOK, JIZAI-KAGI
MEIJI OR TAISHO PERIOD, EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Of typical form and made of keyaki (zelkova wood), the peaked roof with suspension pegs to the side and a deep groove where the kettle's rope passed through, 39cm.
These hooks are of a type named 'Daikoku's hook' because of its resemblance to the God of Good Fortune's hat. These massive wood carvings were used for suspending kettles from a ceiling beam over the sunken hearth, irori. They were seen as a symbol of the family's stability and prosperity.