Property from
THE COLLECTION OF DR. FRANK STANTON
TWO PAIR OF JAPANESE MIXED METAL "SHAKUDO" BUTTONS
Details
TWO PAIR OF JAPANESE MIXED METAL "SHAKUDO" BUTTONS
Each of circular form accented with yellow gold highlights, depicting
various birds and flowers--1 and 1¼ in. diameters
See illustration
Shakudo refers to the Japanese practice whereby intricate patterns are created by inlaying various colored metals, such as silver and various colored gold, onto a black alloy of copper ground. The use of Shakudo became popular in jewelry in the West only after primary use in Samurai sword decoration came to a halt due to the outlawing of sword wearing in public.
Japanese metalsmiths thereafter concentrated their efforts upon the production of decorative items which became quite popular with collectors. This trend coincided with the opening of Japan to the West and can be seen in many aspects of the fashions of period. (4)
Each of circular form accented with yellow gold highlights, depicting
various birds and flowers--1 and 1¼ in. diameters
See illustration
Shakudo refers to the Japanese practice whereby intricate patterns are created by inlaying various colored metals, such as silver and various colored gold, onto a black alloy of copper ground. The use of Shakudo became popular in jewelry in the West only after primary use in Samurai sword decoration came to a halt due to the outlawing of sword wearing in public.
Japanese metalsmiths thereafter concentrated their efforts upon the production of decorative items which became quite popular with collectors. This trend coincided with the opening of Japan to the West and can be seen in many aspects of the fashions of period. (4)