Free Shipping on purchases over $100, code FREESHIP (Continental US). International shoppers manually switch to your local currency using the region selector at Right, or at the very bottom of this page.
Condition: Very good vintage condition. Expected oxidation to the brass and cracking/distress to the wood handle, consistent with age. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
This brass silk iron was originally designed for pressing kimonos: hot coals sat inside the round cup, and the flat underside glided across the fabric to iron it without catching. A thin brass foot keeps it stable and prevents spilled coals when set down. The brass is decorated with round Double Happiness symbols (囜). This piece came from an estate sale of an Asian artifacts collector and carries a well-worn wooden handle from decades of use.
A striking piece of functional history for a bookshelf or curio cabinet, and an excellent gift for the Asian art or antique tool collector. Sometimes called a grain scoop or ladle for its shape, it works well that way too.
The Double Happiness symbol (囜) is a traditional Chinese ornament most associated with marriage, commonly found on wedding gifts throughout China and beyond — a detail that suggests this iron may once have been part of a bridal trousseau or wedding-adjacent household set.
Browse our shop for more vintage Asian décor and collectibles to round out your collection.
