This is a fabulous pair of what I believe to be menuki of the Nara school. The design is a very famous one, that of a tiger amidst bamboo on one and a leopard amidst bamboo on the other. Both animals are done in rich dark shakudo with gold stripes on the tiger and spots on the leopard. The bamboo in the background is done in gold on both menuki. The carving is of the highest quality and the condition is superb.
These menuki measure 4.61 cm or 1.82 inches in length and 1.57 cm of 0.62 inches in height. They come in an attractive wooden box and they exhibit top quality workmanship. They would make an excellent addition to your collection or would be equally impressive mounted on a sword.
SOLD
