Japanese Kadzuka Samurai silver ring

Description

18th - 19th Century AD. The bronze original is in the form of a rat eating nuts. These kadzuka were bound onto 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 Sterling silver. Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. It can also be supplied in 9 carat and 18 carat gold.