For its next Jewel of the Month, jeweler Hancocks London is highlighting a bracelet made circa 1880 that demonstrates how Western design was influenced by Japanese craftsmanship during the Victorian era (so much so that French art critic Philippe Burty coined the term japonisme—in English, Japonism—in 1872 to describe the movement).
The bracelet showcases six circular shakudo panels, each artfully illustrating a tranquil scene of bird and flowers in gold, silver, and copper. Shakudo is a Japanese mixed-metal inlay technique, and the birds depicted—cranes, quails, and pheasants—are revered in Japanese culture as symbols of longevity and prosperity. The bracelet’s panels are bezel-set in yellow gold, with its box-and-tongue clasp concealed when worn.
“There is always a strong appreciation for the finest shakudo jewels—their exemplary craftsmanship, along with the history it carries, always captures the imagination,” said Hancocks’ creative director Amy Burton in a statement. “This bracelet is a tiny masterpiece, and it is easy to understand why Japanese art and its rich cultural influence captivated the Victorian era.”
During that time, there was a profound fascination in Britain and the U.S. with Japanese artistry, particularly shakudo pieces from the Meiji period. These jewels were renowned for their intricate designs and became highly coveted by collectors and connoisseurs, elevated to prized possessions in the realm of fine jewelry.
This shakudo bracelet—Hancocks’ Jewel of the Month for August—is priced at £19,500 (approximately $25,300) and available to view in Hancocks’ new must-see flagship on St. James’s Street.
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