Japanese Ojime Jewelry Bead

This ojime is dated to the Meiji era, circa 19th century, 1870-1880. It is very finely carved, artist, signed, and composed of mixed metal or categorized as a metalware ojime bead. It is finely crafted bronze, copper, silver, and gold layered gilt decorated surface. It features a finely detailed relief carved landscape scene of mount Fuji, on one portion of the circular bead, and common themes of the Japanese natural aesthetic, including references to botanicals, flowers, and a common bird associated with many aspects of traditional Japanese art a flying crane. The bead also creates a layered three-dimensional reticulated scene between the carved layers of the surface botanicals and flower theme and the Mount Fuji scene carved and decorated on the interior surface of the bead. The artist signs the side in Kanji characters, right-center.

The color of the surface is a finely patinated washed gold, with references to the silver and bronze materials that reside beneath the gold wash leaf surface. This bead would be a wonderful addition for anyone who collects ojime beads or collects fine Japanese antiques, Japanese art, or metalwork. It would also be a wonderful and unique addition to anyone looking to create a beaded necklace composed of custom rare and valuable beads or for someone looking to make a custom beaded bracelet or unique charm bracelet. For anyone looking for an ojime bead to create an original Kimono style outfit and need a genuine netsuke, inro, and ojime bead to complete the look, this genuine Meiji era Japanese bead would also be a wonderful edition for those purposes.

The ojime is 0.55 inches in diameter measured from the middle center.

The surface features a complex array of oxidation, tarnish, and patina that adds contrast and complexity to the color and tone of the surface and a slight amount of green tarnish oxidation. There are signs of wear consistent with the age of the bead and the fitting loops, found top and bottom.