Jizai Hook, Japan Edo period

A massive Jizai-kagi Ebisu-shaped of massive size
Keyaki wood, or zelkova serrata
Japan, Edo period, 19th century

A Japanese jizai kettle hook hanger made of keyaki (zelkova) wood, a type of Asian elm, very desireable in Japan  The hook was used to suspend a kettle over the irori, or interior sunken hearth. The Ebisu type, or "J" form hook with faceted edges and two projecting pegs from which it would have been suspended from a ceiling beam. Unlike most "J" form Ebisu hooks, this example is unusually wide and presents particularly dramatic sculptural forms. The crotch of the hook with several heavy grooves from wear of the kettle rope.  With patination and encrustation from the smoke and heat of the hearth fire. 

Dimensions : 62,5 cm high