This is a vintage Japanese untreated pink coral Nishiki-goi brooch. Natural color, untreated not dyed. This brooch has a loop on the back, so you can use it as a pendant top. The size of the loop is about 2x3mm. This brooch comes with the original box from Kawamuraya Coral Co., Ltd. The shop card says “genuine coral from Shikoku”. Shikoku is the island in Japan where Japanese coral was first found in the 19th century.
Carved coral jewelry was popular in Japan until the 1980s. Carved coral items were mostly made for Obidome (decorations for kimono belts). But since Japanese coral has now been unavailable for decades, the coral sculptors have also disappeared. It is getting more and more difficult to find carved coral jewelry these days and the prices are rising. Especially pieces that show the highest level of craftsmanship are most desired and expensive.
size:about 60x20x12t mm weight:15.2g mint condition (the box is old has stains)
