Victorian Japanese Shakudo Cockerel Brooch with Enamel

A Victorian Shakudo mixed metal brooch depicting two cockerel, with red enamel. Japanese, Circa 1870.

Shakudo is an ancient Japanese alloy of gold and copper that is characterized by its velvety purplish-black color. Shakudo and other mixed metal inlays were traditionally used to craft decorative Japanese sword fittings. Some of these sword fittings were incorporated into Western jewelry during the nineteenth century.