Japanese Kadzuka Samurai gold ring

Description

18 - 19th Century AD. The bronze original is in the form of a rat eating nuts. These kadzuka were bound on to the hilts of Samurai swords and knives and often sculpted to resemble creatures that were usually quite docile but when raised to anger, really vicious. It measures 13mm wide, hallmarked 9 carat gold. Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. It is also available in Sterling silver.