Apart from ceramic ware, the medieval population of Primorye also widely used cast iron and iron utensils.
Jurchen cauldrons had legs, handles, and a collar under the rim. Thanks to these features, the cauldrons did not have to be firmly fixed in the hearth. Most likely, they were set over the fire with the intention of easy removal.
Cast iron and iron were highly valued by the Jurchens. When excavating medieval sites in Primorye, archaeologists often find clusters of broken black metal products that were prepared for remelting.
Cast iron cauldrons are commonly found throughout the Jurchen habitat area and differ in details and decorations while sharing a similar shape. All of them are large, about 30–60 centimeters in diameter, wide, smooth, with a protruding rib around the circumference, and have from two to six vertical, ring-like ears on the rim. Since specimens without legs often had rounded bottoms, while cauldrons with legs had flat bottoms, it can be assumed that the former were placed on a special tripod.
The Jurchens distinguished between cast iron and iron utensils. Cast iron cauldrons belonged to the former, while iron forged pots belonged to the latter. Cast iron cauldrons were most likely used in stationary settings, while iron utensils were used for portable purposes.
The cast iron products of Jurchen artisans were distinguished by the unique technology used to create them, as well as by being produced locally. Judging by the rather complex shapes of the cauldrons and the presence of various details such as legs, handles, collars, and embossed rims, their casting methods were quite intricate and involved multiple stages. All cauldron parts were produced separately, and then assembled.
