Shakudo locket

A locket  set with Japanese shakudo plaques, circa 1870 – 1880. The Japanese metalworking 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 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 designs] depict a stork under a cherry blossom tree and a pheasant. The locket measures 1 and 1/4 inches by 3/4 of an inch and is immaculate.

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