Pair of 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting two branches - one with a perched owl, the other a crow with young. Superb quality work to the last detail - see their feathers and inlaid eyes. Shakudo with silver and gold, in excellent condition. Signed with single characters NAO and MASA on the sides. The best piece of Japanese metalwork that I have ever had. Length 1 11/16 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting two groups of boys at play. Superb quality work - see their faces, detailing of clothing and toys. Gold, silver and copper inlays, in excellent condition. Fantastic example of Japanese metalwork. Length 1 1/2 inches.
Pair of early 19th century unusually long Japanese sword menuki depicting riding crops with tassels. Excellent quality work - see the perfectly imitated bamboo texture of the crops. Silvering and gilding, in excellent condition. Length 3 1/16 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting resting horses with spotted coats. Superb quality work to the last detail - see their manes and gold inlaid eyes. Shakudo with silver inlaid spots, in excellent condition. Fantastic example of Japanese metalwork. Length 1 1/16 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting egrets wading in a stream with swirling water, grasses and flowering water lilies. Elegant design, bronze with silvering and gilding, overall in very good condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.
Pair of 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting cranes in flight in different attitudes. Elegant design, bronze with excellent gilding, in great condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting blooming peonies with stems, branches and buds. Excellent design and detailing, flowers and buds are silver, gold highlights. Length 1 5/8 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting two dancers - a samurai with sword, and a merchant with fan. There is a nice detail for a netsuke lover - merchant is wearing an inro suspended by a gourd netsuke. Elegant design, superb detailing with gilding, in excellent condition. Fantastic example of Japanese metalwork. Height 1 1/8 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting wild boars, one with young. Great design and detailing, bronze with dark patina, gold highlights. Length 1 1/2 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting richly decorated quivers full of arrows. Very clever design, great detailing (see silver highlights on the feathers of arrows and scrolling designs on the quiver itself), in excellent condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.
