This superior little Japanese shakudo artwork - with very specific autumn symbolism, see below! - dates to the Meiji period c1890, is unusually set in an original ornate solid gold mount of somewhere between 9 - 14K with higher carat gilding (tested) and boasts both the fine craftsmanship and rich symbolism of superior quality shakudo pieces.
As you can see, the little touches on this piece are just superb, with the loveliest colour contrasts to the beautiful scene of a tiny, chubby gold quail perched at the edge of a stream, surrounded by flowers and grasses. The quail is a seasonal marker (Kigo) for autumn in Japanese art/poetry and folklore, as quails roam the fields full of ripe fallen grains during the harvest season making a distinctive melancholy cry.
One particular motif found in traditional Japanese bird art, such as on screens, is 'Quail and Autumn Grasses' (Uzura ni Akikusa), where the quail is paired with seasonal grasses and late blooming flowers - like the distinctive star shape of the Chinese bellflower seen in this piece in silver, and patrinia, with grasses. So there is a very particular and detailed symbolism to this lovely little piece!
This is true, very fine shakudo work made using the 'zogan' technique with each tiny detail piece inlaid and colour-treated in precious metal and treated shakudo/shibuichi. Beautiful attention to detail and a generous amount of incredibly detailed decoration. It's difficult to believe it is the work of human hands, and not tiny fairy craftsmen!
The photos don't do justice to how fine and miniscule the details are in person.
The mount is original and decorated with an attractive twist-rope border. 9K gold hanging loop to the top.
SHAKUDO: is a traditional Japanese alloy of copper and gold - the precious 'black gold' of the Samurai sword-makers - which can be treated to produce a wide variety of attractive shades.
MEASUREMENTS: 15/16" diameter across the drop. 7.1g in weight.
CONDITION: Wonderful antique condition with all inlaid and colour-treated areas still as they should be. Please view all close-up photos and video. Any display boxes/chains are shown for photography purposes only.
