Kettle with Crane Design
Unknown Artist
1392–1573
Medium
iron
Dimensions
h. 18.2 cm · diam. 30.4 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1980.11.a
About this artwork
Water supplied from a jar such as the fine Shino-ware vessel (1972.9.a-b) was transferred to an iron kettle for boiling as part of the tea ceremony. Former CMA director Sherman Lee described the jagged, broken skirt of this kettle as "attractively damaged," complementing the unobtrusive wispy designs on its rough metal surface. The character of this kettle-worn, coarse, the "perfection" of symmetry destroyed-was cherished by tea masters for its powerful humility.