Republic Period Pewter and Brass Kettle

For one short decade, from around 1910 to 1920, pewter was all the rage in China’s bustling commercial centers of Shanghai and Canton. Drawn to pewter’s soft, silvery glow, artists took advantage of the alloy’s malleability and low melting point to fashion beautifully crafted teakettles and canisters that rivaled the workmanship of fine porcelain. This exceptional teakettle strikes a masterful balance between traditional form and European modernism—its crisply delineated lid and graceful gooseneck spout playing classical counterpoint to Art Deco-influenced facets and geo angles. A rare find from a highly collected period, this kettle is a spectacular example of Republic Era pewter.