Product Description

6916 A silver okimono (decorative object) of a Pekingese dog playing with a cloisonné enamel ball and sporting a ruffled collar with a scrolling kiku (chrysanthemum) design. The eyes and collar both in hirazogan (low-relief inlay), with gilt and shakudō detailing

Signed: Yoshinori

Japan 19th/20th century Meiji/Taishō period

Dimensions: H. 5¾” x W. 5¾” (14.5cm x 14.5cm)

Hakogaki (note of authentication) on fitted box: Kin-zōgan, inukoro (or kushi) okimono. Jyungin-zō. Zaimei. Yasunori saku. – A decorative object of a puppy made of sterling silver inlaid with gold. Made by Yoshinori.

Sasaki Yoshinori (c.1850-c.1920) was a master craftsman metal artist active in the Meiji / Taishō periods, working in Okayama prefecture. He was a pupil of Shōami Katsuyoshi (1832-1908), one of the most notable metal artists of Meiji Japan.

The Pekingese is also known as the lion dog due to its resemblance to the Chinese guardian lion. The breed was favoured by royalty of the Chinese Imperial Court, and was also common companions of Chinese Buddhist monks in Western China where they originated. There is an old saying in China and Japan, ‘kushi busshō’, meaning ‘even a puppy has a Buddha’s heart’. This pedigree dog was highly coveted by the nobility and wealthy in early modern Japan.