Skip to main content

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 18

Old Japanese tin-covered iron plate / Showa era / Wall hanging wabi-sabi object

$1,000List Price

About the Item

This is an old iron plate lid that was used in Japan. It is thought to date to around the Showa period, likely from the mid-20th century onward. It is constructed with an iron plate as the base, with a thin sheet of tin attached to the surface. It was most likely originally used as a lid for some kind of equipment, furnace, or commercial fixture. At the top there is a raised section for hooking one’s fingers, and it was probably opened and closed vertically by holding that part. Although its exact original use cannot be identified in detail, it is a highly atmospheric piece that immediately conveys that it was made for practical use and was handled extensively over a long period of time. The appeal of this piece lies first and foremost in its surface. Looking at it, one sees a muted silver-gray spreading across the center, surrounded by brown, black, smoky dark brown, and pale rust tones that bleed into one another, creating a scene almost like an abstract painting. There are blackened burn marks at the upper corners, and the presence of soot suggests that it was very likely used in a place involving fire or in an environment exposed to heat. It does not simply look dirty; rather, one feels that heat, smoke, humidity, and time have all accumulated in layers to create its present appearance. Although it is only a single flat plate, it gives off a mysterious sense of depth and dimensionality. The longer one looks, the more the tonal variations, stains, worn areas, and traces on the surface begin to rise into view as a kind of landscape, quiet yet strongly memorable. Objects like this are, by their nature, usually destined to be discarded once they are no longer used. It would not be surprising if it had simply been broken apart with a building or a piece of equipment and overlooked as just one more part of an old fixture. And yet it survived, likely because an antique dealer or collector at the demolition site saw it not merely as an old industrial part, but as a compelling object in its own right. In other words, beyond its original role as a practical object, it is here now because someone recognized its beauty and rescued it. Thinking about that background, it comes to feel less like an ordinary iron plate and more like a form of beauty that was destined to be overlooked, yet was saved almost by fate. Its beauty when hung on a wall is exceptional. The moment it is removed from its original function, this plate begins to work within a space like a single painting. Hung on a white wall, the gradations of smoky black and muted silver become even more striking and give the space a stronger sense of tension and focus. Paired with old wooden furniture or quiet lighting, it brings out an even deeper wabi-like atmosphere. It also works beautifully as a single accent within a modern interior, since its industrial materiality coexists with the quiet patina of age, allowing it to harmonize surprisingly well with contemporary spaces. Though it is a flat and thin object, it also resembles a collage in which multiple layers seem to overlap, and one of its greatest charms is that it reveals a different expression each time it is viewed. When actually held, it weighs 5.7 kg, giving it a more solid and substantial sense of mass than its appearance might suggest. However, as you can see in the photographs, there are two small holes at the top. By driving nails into those points, it can be fixed to a wall and displayed. There is still soot remaining on the surface, so please note that wiping it with water may cause some of that character to fade or be lost. In addition, there seems to be some soot trapped between the tin sheet and the iron plate, and when the piece is lifted or moved, there is a subtle sensation of fine soot shifting inside. This too should be understood in advance as part of the condition unique to an old object. This is a one-of-a-kind old utilitarian object that I would especially recommend to anyone who can appreciate even such imperfections and traces of age as part of its charm. Size: W65.6 cm × D2 cm × H56.1 cm Thickness: 0.3 cm Weight: 5.7 kg Item No. OB328 【Our Social Role】 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are a specialized team dealing in antiques and vintage items, comprised of stores based on three distinct brands. While focusing on Japanese items, we also offer a carefully curated selection of attractive goods from around the world—each evoking the culture and history of its country of origin. Unlike the traditional Japanese antique furniture and art that have been appreciated overseas until now, we shine a light on the tools and furniture that were used for many years in ordinary Japanese homes and farmhouses. These objects have gained a unique charm over time, their beauty deepened by the history accumulated through daily life. In today’s world, however, many of these precious items are discarded during home demolitions. We are committed to reassessing their value and passing them on to future generations. Drawing from our extensive experience—having seen tens of thousands of items through direct purchases, markets, and auction houses—we carefully select and present only the most captivating pieces. This is something made possible only through the years of knowledge and expertise we have cultivated. Rather than focusing on the widely known facets of Japanese art and culture, we highlight the subtle beauty born from the everyday life of common people. It is this rediscovered beauty, steeped in history, that we strive to share with the world.

Dimensions:
Height: 22.09 in (56.1 cm)Width: 25.83 in (65.6 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
Style:
Showa (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron,Tin,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
mid-20th century
Condition:
Please be sure to read the description regarding the condition of the Item.
Seller Location:
Sammu-shi, JP
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5487249698812

You May Also Like

Japanese vintage large industrial rusty iron wall decor - wabi sabi objet d'art

Japanese vintage large industrial rusty iron wall decor - wabi sabi objet d'art

$2,000 / item

H 43.51 in W 79.93 in D 5.52 in

Japanese vintage large industrial rusty iron wall decor - wabi sabi objet d'art

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

Vintage Industrial rusty iron wall decor - this large size iron plate had been used to mix the mortar on it for long time, naturally covered with rust ...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Industrial Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Japanese Anthique Minimalist Abstract Art Tin Panel・ 1900`s Wabi-sabi Wall Art

Japanese Anthique Minimalist Abstract Art Tin Panel・ 1900`s Wabi-sabi Wall Art

$900

H 46.7 in W 24.8 in D 1.1 in

Japanese Anthique Minimalist Abstract Art Tin Panel・ 1900`s Wabi-sabi Wall Art

Located in 足利市, JP

A striking minimalist found-object wall panel from 20th-century Japan: an authentic vintage Amado (storm door) sheet metal panel, subtly reinterpreted through the Japanese art of Mit...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Minimalist Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

Japanese Antique Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Low Table Sofa Table Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Low Table Sofa Table Wabi Sabi

$2,800

H 75.6 in W 47.84 in D 2.37 in

Japanese Antique Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Low Table Sofa Table Wabi Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an iron plate sliding door made in Japan. It is a rare door made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s), and the craftsmanship of the time still lives on today. The structure is m...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Doors and Gates

Materials

Iron

Antique Japanese tin clad tall & thick huge sliding doors, wabi sabi primitive

Antique Japanese tin clad tall & thick huge sliding doors, wabi sabi primitive

$6,200 / set

H 94.69 in W 38.39 in D 3.15 in

Antique Japanese tin clad tall & thick huge sliding doors, wabi sabi primitive

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

A pair of tall, thick and huge antique wooden sliding doors covered with tin-coated iron sheet panels. These types of doors were used at the gate / entrance of western-influenced la...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Doors and Gates

Materials

Metal, Tin, Iron

Japanese Antique Wooden Board Wall Decoration 1860s-1900s / Wabisabi

Japanese Antique Wooden Board Wall Decoration 1860s-1900s / Wabisabi

$800

H 30.52 in W 34.26 in D 2.96 in

Japanese Antique Wooden Board Wall Decoration 1860s-1900s / Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an antique Japanese work board. Despite its simple form, it possesses a powerful presence, bringing a quiet tension and deep sense of depth to any space. It is estimated to ...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Art

Materials

Cedar

Antique Cast Iron Fireback / Backsplash

Antique Cast Iron Fireback / Backsplash

$3,335

H 35.44 in W 32.29 in D 0.99 in

Antique Cast Iron Fireback / Backsplash

Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland

A beautifully crafted cast iron fireback, ideal for use as a functional fireplace insert or as a striking backsplash above a modern cooktop. Dating from the late 18t C. this piece f...

Category

Antique 18th Century Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Iron

19th Century Japanese Iron and Mixed Metal Wall Panel

19th Century Japanese Iron and Mixed Metal Wall Panel

$39,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 29 in W 27 in D 2 in

19th Century Japanese Iron and Mixed Metal Wall Panel

Located in North Miami, FL

A rare Meiji period 1868-1912 iron and mixed metal panel by a highly important early Meiji period artist. The ironwork panel housed within its original hardwood frame depicts the charming subject of a roaster fighting with snake, this particular early Meiji period panel demonstrates all the skills of a leading Mito school metalworker more used to making tsuba and sword fittings for the shogunate and now adapting his unique skills to satisfy the emerging western market, the naive charm and inspiration for this study is probably from an earlier Japanese or even Chinese painting, artists with such breathtaking metalworking skills as this artist could simply replace an artists paintbrush...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Art

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze, Iron

Evolving Elegance: An Oxidized Silver Screen from the Meiji Period

Evolving Elegance: An Oxidized Silver Screen from the Meiji Period

$6,060

H 37.01 in W 107.88 in D 0.99 in

Evolving Elegance: An Oxidized Silver Screen from the Meiji Period

Located in Fukuoka, JP

This anodized 6-panel screen captures the serene and minimalistic beauty of a bamboo grove, embodying the aesthetic principles of the Edo period. The screen features subtle and delic...

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silver Leaf

Japanese Old Galvanized Iron 1920s-1940s / Abstract Art Object Wabisabi

Japanese Old Galvanized Iron 1920s-1940s / Abstract Art Object Wabisabi

$720Sale Price|28% Off

H 7.88 in W 38.59 in D 26.38 in

Japanese Old Galvanized Iron 1920s-1940s / Abstract Art Object Wabisabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old Japanese tin. It has been lying in this condition in an old warehouse for many years. Judging from the texture and feel, it is estimated to have been manufactured in t...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Metalwork

Materials

Tin

Japanese Antique signs, Abstract Art, Wabi-Sabi, Mingei

Japanese Antique signs, Abstract Art, Wabi-Sabi, Mingei

$1,000

H 70.08 in W 14.18 in D 1.38 in

Japanese Antique signs, Abstract Art, Wabi-Sabi, Mingei

Located in Katori-Shi, 12

This is a wooden signboard that was used during the Taisho period. Years of use and aging have given it a beautiful abstract appearance. You can hang it on the wall and enjoy it lik...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Antiquities

Materials

Wood

More From This Seller

Antique Japanese Wall-mounted object / Rusted tin wall art / Meiji-Showa / OB336

Antique Japanese Wall-mounted object / Rusted tin wall art / Meiji-Showa / OB336

Antique Japanese Wall-mounted object / Rusted tin wall art / Meiji-Showa / OB336

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a tool once used in Japan called a hoiro, a device used to knead and dry tea leaves after they had been steamed. It is believed to date from the Meiji to early Showa period a...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

Japanese Antique Tin Door "Wall Decoration" 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Tin Door "Wall Decoration" 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi

Japanese Antique Tin Door "Wall Decoration" 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi

By Axel Vervoordt

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is an antique Japanese tin-covered door, believed to date from the late Edo period to the Meiji period, circa 1860s to 1900s. It is constructed with a wooden frame covered with...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Art

Materials

Iron

Antique Door "Wall Decoration" from Japan 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi

Antique Door "Wall Decoration" from Japan 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi

Antique Door "Wall Decoration" from Japan 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This was a very old Japanese warehouse (kura) window sliding door. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The frame is made of cedar wood, and the base is hardened with s...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Art

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Tin Plate Frame / Circa 20th Century / Like an Abstract Painting

Japanese Tin Plate Frame / Circa 20th Century / Like an Abstract Painting

Japanese Tin Plate Frame / Circa 20th Century / Like an Abstract Painting

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

When I first saw it, I felt that this was at once a tool and already something like a single painting. Its composition is extremely simple, consisting only of an old sheet of tin set...

Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

Japanese antique wooden panel /wall hanging board / 1868-1920 / Wabi sabi

Japanese antique wooden panel /wall hanging board / 1868-1920 / Wabi sabi

Japanese antique wooden panel /wall hanging board / 1868-1920 / Wabi sabi

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a large and highly imposing antique work board believed to have been made in Japan during the Meiji to Taisho period, circa 1868 to 1920. The material appears to be hardwoods...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Art

Materials

Chestnut

Japanese Wall Art / Japanese objet / wabi-sabi art / primitive wall art

Japanese Wall Art / Japanese objet / wabi-sabi art / primitive wall art

Japanese Wall Art / Japanese objet / wabi-sabi art / primitive wall art

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a wall art made using some of the material from an old Japanese door. This is a wooden door reinforced with galvanized iron sheets. It's a convenient size that doesn't take...

Category

2010s Japanese Primitive Antiquities

Materials

Tin