A lovely vintage solid silver locket with a classic design. Ths locket has the rare addition of two stunningly beautiful ‘Shibayama’ style insects, with hand-engraved legs and antenna.
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 1975
Hallmarks: Marked 925 for sterling silver
Size and Weight: 3.5cm by2cm, 4.1 grams
Condition: The locket is in excellent vintage condition.
A lovely vintage solid silver locket with a classic design. Ths locket has the rare addition of two stunningly beautiful ‘Shibayama’ style insects, with hand-engraved legs and antenna.
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 1975
Hallmarks: Marked 925 for sterling silver
Size and Weight: 3.5cm by2cm, 4.1 grams
Condition: The locket is in excellent vintage condition.
