Shakudō Mixed Metal Ring Japanese Art Deco

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Shakudō Mixed Metal Ring Japanese Art Deco

About the Item

Damascened Japanese jewelry is jewelry that is created from multiple metals, often one that includes the alloy known as, Shakudō. Shakudō is an alloy of gold and copper, with less than 10% gold. But the word's meaning has transmogrified into "mixed metal jewelry from Japan." With that out of the way: it was not long ago that I went down the wormhole known as "Japanese Art Deco" which is when I encountered this stunning handmade ring dating to around 1935 but possibly earlier. This says it all, really, so bear with me: I photograph a lot of jewelry. I've been collecting jewelry all my life and before I owned this jewelry store on 1stdibs, I would constantly photograph my vast collection of rings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and rings. Many of these rings were from the Art Deco period and a large oval face was a popular design element, whether that oval face was composed of a carved plaque of jadeite jade, a banded agate, or the mixed metal ring you see right here. And one of the things about photographing a ring with a tall oval face is that it will tip over so you need to use a bit of photographer's wax on the rear of the shank so keep it upright. Except with this ring. It is so perfectly composed, so balanced in its design and impeccably well-executed that it stands perfectly upright on its own. This never happens. And it truly speaks to the workmanship and considered care that went into the fabrication of this ring. It's visually balanced and pleasing, it's aesthetically quite stunning with the micro-chased surface, the perfectly curved interior which fits so flawlessly around the finger, the carved shoulders and then the face with ripe-peach cheeks, fused to the face of the ring, wisps of yellow-golden hair braids flailing artistically about. It's just absolutely magnificent. Among other things, my mother was an excellent and knowledgable interior designer so ˆ was exposed to a great deal of different design styles at a young age. But not Japanese Art Deco. This, I had to find on my own. Spend some time with Google and do a little research on your own if you aren't familiar the enormous contribution Japan made to the Art Deco movement. This ring is a size 8 ¼ and could be resized by your local jeweler.

Ring Size:
8 US, Resizable
Metal:
Mixed Metal,Shakudo
Weight:
17.49 g
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1935
Condition:
Excellent condition with no signs of damage or repair.
Seller Location:
Southbury, CT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU158918621951