Japanese Demon Antique Jewelry Charms

Handcrafted during the Meiji era in 19th century Japan this pair of Japanese Menuke is a one-of-a-kind pair of antique jewelry charms that will be sure to accent your outfit as a fashion accessory in a way that no other pin, charm, or brooch can. This pair of charms did not initially start their life to decorate an outfit but were made to ornament a Japanese samurai sword blade handle. Menuki traditionally were ornaments for a Japanese Katana and Menuki, where decorations are woven into the Tsuka-ito or the handle wrapping of the sword. They are often made of metals, such as silver, gold, copper, and bronze. They have also been made in combinations of these metals referred to as mixed metals, including variants of silver, bronze, and gold.

This charm-sized Menuki pair is decorated in a rich dark-colored pickled bronze. This method of bronzing adds ad added layer of depth and color—a characteristic of all superior quality handcrafted metalwork made by Meiji era artisans and craftsmen. This pair of charms are in the figural manner of Oni or demons. Oni in Japanese folklore is typically depicted as large figures with horns growing out of their heads, claws, and long hair. While the term Oni is sometimes referred to in lore as purveyors of trouble and mischief, Oni or Japanese demons are not always bad, as Oni sometimes are depicted as protectors. This pair of demon theme charms are unmounted, which means they can be repurposed for any use, such as using them as charms, crafting them into a brooch, pins, adding them to to a necklace, or charm bracelet, or however you may choose and decide to use them.

Each figure is approximately 0.55-0.75 inches in width.

Each figure has oxidation and tarnish to the metal surface.