Vintage Shibayama Locket earrings blood-red garnet with foil backing

blood-red garnet with foil backing that gives the appearance of dark thunderclouds boiling in the heart of the stone

Much of the masonic jewellery we see (this was probably intended to be worn as a fob on a watch chain) has the ability to change its form

transitional

A dainty antique ring set with a chunky old mine cut diamond nestled within a cluster of pink paste gemstones

each one set with a seed pear centre with applied rope-twist and star motif goldwork

Vintage Shibayama Locket earrings blood-red garnet with foil backingThe Shibayama () technique was created by noki Senz, an Edo haberdasher who lived during the 18th century. Utilising a variety of materials of varying colours and textures from mother of pearl to horn to stained ivory to coral he would inlay small, shaped pieces into a base material such as gold lacquer, wood, or ivory. The technique is named after the town in Chiba prefecture where noki lived, and it flourished under the patronage of the feudal