posted 05-25-2009 09:14 PM            

Hello everyone ...

This is my first post to the forum.

I am posting here to request any information that members may have concerning this teapot.
I've been researching off & online for a couple of months and have not found another just like it.

It's a 2 dragon motif , with 2 dragons around the body of the pot ; one dragons' head & neck serve as the spout. It is done in repousee , except for the heads on the lid & spout , which are cast silver & silver-soldered on. The ivory handle is about 70mm long ; the teapot holds 750ml and weighs about 17oz.

I know it's Japanese (the only mark is a Jungin) and I'm only guessing that it was made around 1900.

Any input here would be greatly appreciated , as to it's age & origin ( any other suggestions about where to do research too).

Thank you !

What is my interest in silver ?
1. I've been collecting silver items for over 40 years.
2. I just like silver . I'm an old guy & I still think it's cool.

What is it that I hope to learn from this question?
1. I'm just trying to find additional information (that several months of research have not , to date , revealed) that any members of this forum might have (as I mentioned in my post : age , origin).
2. I'm hoping to find other sources/suggestions for finding resources for information about this little teapot , in the event no one here knows about it.

What is my purpose in asking?
1. It was suggested to me , in another forum , that perhaps the folks here would have some helpful experience in identifying such a teapot.
2. I've been searching for the history of this piece for months (for my own education) & thought I'd ask the folks here.

posted 05-26-2009 03:38 AM            

Yours is beautiful made, wonderful decoration there is a member who collect dragon items so don't sell yours and enjoy the one. Do you also use it or is the one standing in a glass-window show-case. But it is good to start the day with seeing this one. I don't know if the mark Kyusu is the same as Kyosho.

From my side I hope you will show more of that quality silver.

Greetings Silverhunter (Andre) from Holland.

posted 05-26-2009 11:35 AM            

I do actually use this teapot ... when I get close enough for me to see it , the steam rising from the dragon's mouth is a novel effect .

I do know that in 1928 , Japanese laws/regulations changed in regards to silver works produced there ... after those changes , silver works were required to be marked with 'standard' decimal silver marking designating the purtiy of the silver (.925 , .950 , etc.) .

Apologies to Scott Martin , regarding my posts of images .
Although I have minimal photo-editing software , I mistakenly thought that the way I posted was O.K. ....
I am legally blind and have great difficulty attempting to photo-edit .

Again , I'm sorry if I've created problems here .

posted 05-26-2009 08:27 PM            

A general FYI about the 'Kyusu" - It's a ref to a type/style of Japanese teapot .
A Kyusu has a handle mounted at 90 degrees relative to the teapot spout.

The name Kyusu (sometimes Kyushu) is also used to refer to both a city and a region of Japan where there has been a long history of metal smithing , as well as pottery , through the ages. It (Kyushu) is also the 3rd largest island in Japan.

Dragons are significant to the Kyusu/Kyushu area as well.

posted 05-27-2009 04:37 AM            

Here in Holland there is a tea marked growing and we have special tea shops for to buy special tea brands.

So slowly we learn like the way a culture has to be in Holland in case off the tulips and cheese and walking at wooden shoes .

Coffee and tea are consumptif goods which are taken in a few minutes and sometimes the hostess gets a short compliment like good taste.