A delightful Shakudo brooch featuring a laughing face with exaggerated features including large copper lips as well as copper rope detail. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with lovely patina.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x L 1 3/4 in. #1118

Amusing shakudo brooch with copper and gold detail featuring a woman in repose. The brooch is braced by a sterling silver mount. Made in Japan. Meiji period, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fabulous patina.

Length: 2 3/8 in. #1120

Beautiful 18K rose gold and diamond brooch, ca 1880. A scallop shell inlaid with 175 rose-cut diamonds. Overhanging “valve” terminates in volute scrolls and is bisected with raised band of 10 inlaid rose-cut diamonds with a brown diamond drop. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 1 1/2 in. Weight: 12.4 dwt. #1179

Victorian English bug brooch, ca. 1880. Three faceted amethysts in form of bug. Wings are silver wire mounted with seed pearls. Excellent condition and nice patina.

Length: 1 3/4 in. 606

Early 19th century Japanese sword tsuba with combination of sunken and raised relief decoration of a seated man wearing eboshi (a specific hat worn by aristocrats to indicate rank) holding a bitter melon in his hands and looking at more melons and lotus leaves with flowers, design continuing on the back. Material appears to be shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer. Excellent quality detailed work with gold, silver and copper inlays, superb det...

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid decoration of autumn grasses on both sides, all on finely textured ground. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb design perfectly capturing the mood of autumnal melancholy. Crisp work, black shakudo stems and gold seedheads, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/4 inches.

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba for tanto with raised and inlaid decoration of a dragon flying along its rim among wispy clouds, all on finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb clever design, extraordinary crisp work, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/16 inches.

Rather unusual late Meiji (1890s to 1910s) Japanese brooch carved as seated Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune, usually associated with longevity) with a fan in his hand and leaning on a resting shika (spotted deer and one of Jurojin’s familiars, the other two being a turtle and a crane). Beautiful crisp carving, superb quality staining with different colors, excellent patina. Wonderful face, superb depiction of various textures, fastener on the back marked SILVER. Signed on the back -...

Rather unusual late Meiji (1890s to 1910s) Japanese brooch carved as seated Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune, usually associated with longevity) with a fan in his hand and a petting a minogame (turtle with bushy tail and one of Jurojin’s familiars, the other two being a deer and a crane). Beautiful crisp carving, superb quality staining with different colors, excellent patina. Wonderful face, superb depiction of various textures, fastener on the back marked SILVER. Signed HIDENAO on ...

Swiss Enamel, Pearl and Gold Mounted Brooch, Circa 1880. The central enamel plaque depicts the Chateau de Chillon amidst the Swiss Alps in beautiful realistic subtle hues. The gold frame is engraved and set with several pearl sections alternating with sections of enamel (minor traces of loss to enamel). The back of the brooch is enameled in a pale blue hue and signed “Chillone” for the Château de Chillon. The Château was originally inhabited by the Savoy family and today is a destinati...

This is a gorgeous sterling silver pendant brooch with gold in a unique Renaissance Revival design circa 1880. This pendant brooch is comprised of a central flower basket in gold with flowers and leaves in enamel scrolling out. Above the basket are three diamonds surmounted with a gold shell, and below the basket with a flower set with a small ruby. Around the basket are openwork scrolls that create curved sides and a dramatic dynamic silhouette. A natural pearl drop hangs from the bottom of t...

This pretty brooch with stones mounted in silver-topped 18k gold has been designed in the shape of a flower. The petals have been formed from 5 incised citrines in a warm smokey yellow-brown color which surround a cut diamond in the center. The stem of the flower and the petals' border are all highlighted by inlaid old European and rose-cut diamonds. The back has been marked with a French guarantee stamp. The brooch measures approximately 1 3/4" X 1 1/4" and was made Circa:1880. It is a lov...

Early 19th century Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with relief decoration of two shishi (Buddhist lions) frolicking among huge peony flowers. Superbly made piece with crisp metalwork, shakudo body with gilding, in excellent condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with finely inlaid brocade and lattice patterns done in various metals. Made out of shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer. Elegant design in Japanese taste, superbly made, crisp metalwork, in excellent condition. Length 1 1/4 inches.

Aesthetic salad serving pair in sterling silver. Made by Knowles (later Mauser) in Providence, ca. 1880. Fork and spoon have tapering handles with acid-etched ornament of Japanese inspiration with crustaceans, birds, and branches. Spoon has round and crimped bowl. Fork has round and crimped shank with four tines. Bowl and shank have double-sided gilt wash. Hallmark includes retailer’s name A. Stowell & Co. Excellent condition.

Length: Spoon: 9 1/2 in. Fork: 9 1/4 in. BL569

Pair of early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a wasp in different attitude on a tube containing their eggs. Shakudo with gilding, fantastic design, superb casting and detailing, beautiful patina. Length 1 7/16 inches.

Pair of 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting running spotted deer. Excellent work with great detailing. Made out of shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer, silver inlaid spots, in perfect condition. Length 7/8 inches.