Ashtray - Iron - Plum Blossom Lid

09
days
05
hours
49
minutes
16
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
No bids placed

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 141331 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Vintage Nanbu tekki cast iron ashtray from Japan, featuring a scalloped flower-shaped rim and a removable lid with three vents and a plum blossom medallion, with aged patina and dimensions 5 x 15 x 15 cm and weight 551 g.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Item Description
This is a vintage Nanbu tekki (Nanbu cast ironware) ashtray from Japan, combining traditional craftsmanship with a distinctive retro character. The piece features a scalloped, flower-shaped outer rim covered in the fine "arare" (hail-drop) texture that is a hallmark of Nanbu ironware. At the centre sits a removable lid pierced with three curved vents and decorated with a raised plum blossom (ume) medallion within a circular border, also finished in the same dotted texture.

The interior bowl shows a warm reddish-brown lacquer-like patina, typical of older cast iron pieces of this type, while the underside of the base carries an impressed maker's seal in kanji characters, though the maker has not been further identified.

With its substantial weight and warm, weathered surface, this ashtray works equally well as a functional piece or as a decorative object, and would suit a retro Japanese interior, a collection of Nanbu ironware, or use as a small incense or trinket dish.

Size
Height: 5 cm
Width: 15 cm
Depth: 15 cm

Weight
551 g

Condition
The piece is genuinely aged and shows overall surface oxidation and patina consistent with long use, along with light scratches and general wear. No chips, cracks, or structural damage have been noted upon visual inspection.

Additional Information
Nanbu tekki is a traditional cast ironware craft originating in Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, with a history spanning several centuries. This example appears to date from the Showa era and bears an impressed maker's seal to the base, though the specific workshop has not been identified.

The item will be carefully packaged and shipped by Japan Post or DHL, depending on the situation.

Due to the changes to the EU tax-free (VAT) system, Japan Post has become unable to ship certain goods valued at €150 or less to an increasing number of European countries. Depending on the destination and circumstances, the shipping method may therefore be changed from Japan Post to DHL.

Delivery normally takes approximately 3 weeks, or up to 3 months if the item is shipped by sea.

Please note that import duties, taxes, customs fees, and other charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.

For customs clearance, your local customs office or delivery company may contact you by phone or email. To avoid any delays or the return of the parcel, please ensure that you can respond promptly to any such requests. If the parcel is returned due to an inability to contact you or complete customs clearance, additional shipping charges, which may be more than twice the original shipping cost, will apply for reshipment.

Thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation. We will do our utmost to ensure that your item arrives safely and without any issues.

Seller's Story

A Japanese living in Japan, I appreciate traditional and modern art. I specialize in selecting artworks that reflect quiet strength, refined beauty, and timeless craftsmanship of Japanese culture. My collection focuses on pieces that carry a story—whether traditional ukiyo‑e prints, contemporary works inspired by wabi‑sabi aesthetics, or handcrafted items created by regional artisans. With years of experience working closely with artists, studios, and collectors across Japan, I take pride in offering works that are both visually compelling and culturally meaningful. Every item is carefully curated for authenticity, condition, and artistic value, ensuring that bidders can participate with confidence. My goal is to connect international collectors with the richness of Japanese artistry—pieces that bring harmony, character, and a touch of Japan’s spirit into your home. I look forward to sharing these works with you and hope they inspire the same appreciation and joy they bring to me :)
Translated by Google Translate

Item Description
This is a vintage Nanbu tekki (Nanbu cast ironware) ashtray from Japan, combining traditional craftsmanship with a distinctive retro character. The piece features a scalloped, flower-shaped outer rim covered in the fine "arare" (hail-drop) texture that is a hallmark of Nanbu ironware. At the centre sits a removable lid pierced with three curved vents and decorated with a raised plum blossom (ume) medallion within a circular border, also finished in the same dotted texture.

The interior bowl shows a warm reddish-brown lacquer-like patina, typical of older cast iron pieces of this type, while the underside of the base carries an impressed maker's seal in kanji characters, though the maker has not been further identified.

With its substantial weight and warm, weathered surface, this ashtray works equally well as a functional piece or as a decorative object, and would suit a retro Japanese interior, a collection of Nanbu ironware, or use as a small incense or trinket dish.

Size
Height: 5 cm
Width: 15 cm
Depth: 15 cm

Weight
551 g

Condition
The piece is genuinely aged and shows overall surface oxidation and patina consistent with long use, along with light scratches and general wear. No chips, cracks, or structural damage have been noted upon visual inspection.

Additional Information
Nanbu tekki is a traditional cast ironware craft originating in Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, with a history spanning several centuries. This example appears to date from the Showa era and bears an impressed maker's seal to the base, though the specific workshop has not been identified.

The item will be carefully packaged and shipped by Japan Post or DHL, depending on the situation.

Due to the changes to the EU tax-free (VAT) system, Japan Post has become unable to ship certain goods valued at €150 or less to an increasing number of European countries. Depending on the destination and circumstances, the shipping method may therefore be changed from Japan Post to DHL.

Delivery normally takes approximately 3 weeks, or up to 3 months if the item is shipped by sea.

Please note that import duties, taxes, customs fees, and other charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.

For customs clearance, your local customs office or delivery company may contact you by phone or email. To avoid any delays or the return of the parcel, please ensure that you can respond promptly to any such requests. If the parcel is returned due to an inability to contact you or complete customs clearance, additional shipping charges, which may be more than twice the original shipping cost, will apply for reshipment.

Thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation. We will do our utmost to ensure that your item arrives safely and without any issues.

Seller's Story

A Japanese living in Japan, I appreciate traditional and modern art. I specialize in selecting artworks that reflect quiet strength, refined beauty, and timeless craftsmanship of Japanese culture. My collection focuses on pieces that carry a story—whether traditional ukiyo‑e prints, contemporary works inspired by wabi‑sabi aesthetics, or handcrafted items created by regional artisans. With years of experience working closely with artists, studios, and collectors across Japan, I take pride in offering works that are both visually compelling and culturally meaningful. Every item is carefully curated for authenticity, condition, and artistic value, ensuring that bidders can participate with confidence. My goal is to connect international collectors with the richness of Japanese artistry—pieces that bring harmony, character, and a touch of Japan’s spirit into your home. I look forward to sharing these works with you and hope they inspire the same appreciation and joy they bring to me :)
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Era
1900-2000
Weight
551 g
Title additional information
Plum Blossom Lid
Number of objects
1
Style
Vintage
Material
Iron
Country of origin
Japan
Colour
Brown
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
5 cm
Width
15 cm
Depth
15 cm
Estimated period
1900-2000
Sold by
JapanVerified
163
Objects sold
97.06%
pro

Similar objects

For you in

Japanese Art