Japanese Solid silver Kyusu teapot

[regularjoe2]

Hello everyone ....
I picked up this teapot at a local private estate sale , and I'm wondering if anyone here has seen one like it ( and has any idea of it's value ?) .

It is stamped 'solid silver' (in Japanese , on its bottom) , weighs about 18oz ; it holds 750ml , when filled to the lower seal for the lid .

There are 2 dragons entertwined around the main body of the teapot , one dragons' head & neck serve as the spout .
An ivory handle (approx.70mm long) is held in a fitting at 90 degrees , in relation to the spout .

The teapot is done in repousee , with the exception of the dragon heads on the spout & lid ( these are cast silver & are silver-soldered  ) .
It's got great details and very nice workmanship .

[KC]

Please post a picture of the markings on the bottom!

[regularjoe2]

Sorry for not adding one ...

Here's the Jungin on the bottom of the teapot .

[regularjoe2]

Sorry about the last image .

Here's a higher resolution image of the Jungin on the bottom of the teapot .

[D&b antiques]

you've got and expensive tea pot. typically japanese silver run's higher than american. American 925 pure Japanese 950 pure Ivory Handle ?

[Pwreynolds1988]

That is a Beautiful Piece very interesting My grandfather Brought back one almost identical to that one After World War 2 I will have to try and Get a Picture to Post of it

[regularjoe2]

Thank you everyone , for your comments .

I am not sure if the person in the previous posting was asking if it's got a pure Ivory handle or not ...
the handle is pure ivory .

I do know that the 'Jungin' symbol was used 1868 through 1912 ( and for a short time afterward ) in Japan ; in 1928 Japan required decimal Std. marks (eg.-.950 , etc.) on silver .

I am still wondering if anyone might hazard a guess on the value of this teapot ?

I've not been able to find one exactly like it anywhere , so far (+100 hrs. of research) .

[D&b antiques]

today's market. $1,500.00 to $ 2,000.00 Dollars.

[regularjoe2]

Thank you so much for your valuable input 'D&b antiques' , and for your time !

I don't mean to push my luck here , but oh well , what the heck ... ;
I have been considering putting this Kyusu up for sale , and am wondering where'd be the best market for such things .
I live in the Pacific Northwest , so I've been thinking - San Franciso or Seattle areas ( also , perhaps Japan or N.Y. City ) ... not too sure about on-line selling (I'm 'old school' there) either .

Again , I'm not trying to push the members (or the rules for postings) here , or tax their efforts ;
I'm just open to suggestions . I just don't know the 'markets' for this type of silver .

My gratitude and sincere thanks go out to everyone here !

[D&b antiques]

Typically the japanese are very eager Buyer's. of what they consider ''There's''

[regularjoe2]

Thank you for your sage advice , D&b antiques .

That's kinda what I've been thinkin' !

[regularjoe2]

A little update on this info-quest about my teapot -

I got an email yesterday from an American in Tokyo who has the opinion that this is a Meiji Period (1868-1900ish) teapot .
He commented that the dragons on the piece are "water dragons" .
He also said that it was not so unusual to have such works left unsigned by the artist .
Many metalworks of this period were done by former samarai warriors , due to their 'business' being outlawed by changes in the governance of Japan .
Many of these samarai were not exactly proud of their 'change in status' in their society , although there were other reasons for leaving some of their metalsmithing artworks unsigned .

This fellow in Toyko said that he thought it might have been made by either : Y Konoike or Yukitru .

More leads for me to follow up on .

[KC]

Thanks for the update!

I just love the old side handled teapots.  I have one that was used on an old navy ship many, many years ago.

To say the least yours is the better of the two!  One of my best friends collects all things dragon....and is drooling over this!

[regularjoe2]

KC ... I'll keep an eye out for a dragon motif drool-catcher for your friend !

[KC]

KC ... I'll keep an eye out for a dragon motif drool-catcher for your friend !

LOL!