Product Info

Shakudo is a Japanese alloy of copper with a small amount of gold that has a beautiful dark patina. Historically, it was used in Samurai swords to decorate the mountings, with scenes and figures overlaid in gold and silver.  When the Samurai were being abolished in the 1870’s the decorative parts of Samurai swords were often converted into jewelry, and the swordmakers turned their skills to jewelry production.

This brooch was made from a finely detailed Menuki in the shape of a horse. There's a beautiful pattern on the saddle blanket and wonderful tufting of the horse's mane. 

Menuki are small decorative items that were bound into the handle of a Samurai sword to improve the grip. This Menuki appears to have been turned into a brooch in the late 19th century, with the 19th century pin back and "C" clasp replaced by a safety clasp in the mid-20th century.