A simple little silver signet ring with a stunning lifelike insect set onto the face - its legs and antenna are engraved onto the metal. The body of the insect is hand-carved from abalone shell lending it a beautiful blue/green iridescence.
Curator’s note
Silver/gold Western jewellery, such as this signet ring, set with these beautiful hand-carved insects or beetles are known widely as ‘Shibayama’ jewellery. The inspiration for these pieces comes from a popular Japanese craft called Shibayama, whereby tiny pieces of shell, mother of pearl and semi-precious material are carved and set into metal or wood for decorative effect. As the market for these ancient Japanese crafts became popular in Victorian Britain, silversmiths of the day developed their own version of ‘Shibayama’, adding hand-carved insects, which are often sourced from Japan, to items more popular in the West, such as fobs, vesta cases and lockets.
This craft continues today, with a handful of talented jewellery-makers able to recreate this Shibayama technique to stunning effect, adding insects to vintage silver and gold pieces, creating stunning and unique jewellery that’s incredibly popular among collectors today.
Details:
Date: Vintage - circa 1970
Hallmarks - Marked ‘9ct on silver’
Weight and Size: 1.6 grams, UK size O, US size 7.
Condition: The ring is in good vintage condition, with plenty of wear to the gilding layer, leaving the ring mostly silver. The insect inlay is in excellent condition and is likely to have been added to the signet ring in recent years.
A simple little silver signet ring with a stunning lifelike insect set onto the face - its legs and antenna are engraved onto the metal. The body of the insect is hand-carved from abalone shell lending it a beautiful blue/green iridescence.
Curator’s note
Silver/gold Western jewellery, such as this signet ring, set with these beautiful hand-carved insects or beetles are known widely as ‘Shibayama’ jewellery. The inspiration for these pieces comes from a popular Japanese craft called Shibayama, whereby tiny pieces of shell, mother of pearl and semi-precious material are carved and set into metal or wood for decorative effect. As the market for these ancient Japanese crafts became popular in Victorian Britain, silversmiths of the day developed their own version of ‘Shibayama’, adding hand-carved insects, which are often sourced from Japan, to items more popular in the West, such as fobs, vesta cases and lockets.
This craft continues today, with a handful of talented jewellery-makers able to recreate this Shibayama technique to stunning effect, adding insects to vintage silver and gold pieces, creating stunning and unique jewellery that’s incredibly popular among collectors today.
Details:
Date: Vintage - circa 1970
Hallmarks - Marked ‘9ct on silver’
Weight and Size: 1.6 grams, UK size O, US size 7.
Condition: The ring is in good vintage condition, with plenty of wear to the gilding layer, leaving the ring mostly silver. The insect inlay is in excellent condition and is likely to have been added to the signet ring in recent years.
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