Shakudo earrings

Sweet little fan shaped Shakudo earrings, circa 1870. The Japanese metalwork technique of Shakudo involved creating an alloy of copper and gold, inlaid with a range of coloured alloys set into a dark base which is usually very black in appearance.  The technique was developed by the samurai sword-makers for the decoration of the sword-mounts and guards, but the same type of work was also found on decorative items, especially after samurai were banned from bearing arms in 1876. Here the Shakudo iroe [coloured picture design] depicts a stork in flight amidst cherry blossoms. The button ear tops are 9 carat fronted and silver backed and the ear wires are 9 carat gold.. The earrings measure 1 and 1/8 inches by 3/4 of an inch are immaculate.

£750