Kinko menuki in shakudo, gold and silver, showing a cluster of nuts still in their shells. The piece is unsigned and sold in used condition. It is listed under Japanese Swords, Fittings and Firearms as SKU MGJ368. Menuki of this kind are the small raised ornaments set beneath the grip wrap of a Japanese sword, where they fill the palm and decorate the handle.

The nut motif suits a Connecticut collector who leans toward natural subjects in Japanese metalwork, and the three-metal palette gives contrast between dark shakudo shells and the gold and silver detail. Unsigned fittings like this one are judged on the work itself, so look closely at the carving, the undercutting and the surface in the photographs rather than at a maker's name. It is equally at home in a display case or on a restored handle where a quiet, natural theme is wanted under the wrap.

Key features

• Kinko menuki, cluster of nuts in shell
• Shakudo with gold and silver
• Unsigned
• Used, SKU MGJ368

This menuki ships straight to your Connecticut door; no dealer transfer applies to sword fittings.