Germany 1970 Menuki Cufflks Japanese Shakudo Sterlg Silver 24Kt Bronze

Exceptional vintage Shakudo cufflinks with Japanese Menuki. Beautiful piece of art, created in Germany back in the 1970. These pair of cufflinks has been crafted in 24 karats yellow gold, .925/.999 sterling silver and blackened patinated bronze (niiro). The mounting is suited with flexibles T bars. The main decorative elements are a pair of genuine Japanese Menukies, depicting two horses, male and female with abundant manes running in different directions. The menukies displayed in this pair are original parts taken from a sword of the Japanese Edo period (1603-1864). Created with an exceptional Shakudo (mix of metals) technique with blackened bronze and carefully chiseled with rich yellow gold of 24 karats  They has a combined weight of 16.4 grams and a measurements of 29 mm by 16 mm (1.14 x 0.63 Inches). Stamped, with the European silver assay hallmark, "STERLING". The menuki (目貫) is one of the multiples parts of a katana sword. They are decorative ornaments that are woven under the Tsuka-ito (the handle wrapping), originally made to hide the mekugi pins that secure the blade to the tang. they are normally positioned forward on one side and back to the other to fit the palm grip. Note: Shakudo is a Japanese alloy used in sheet metal inlay or wire inlay. The technique involves inlaying gold, silver, and copper into a darkened copper base. Usually, shakudo is composed of 75% copper and 4-25% gold and 5-20% antimony. The word "shakudō" first appears in recor