Vintage Shibayama Bugs Ring
A rare vintage shibayama signet ring dating from the 1960s. Three bugs rest on the octagonal face, their head and bodies formed from carved gemstones set in high relief, and legs deftly engraved into the silver.
The Shibayama (芝山象嵌細工) technique was created by Ōnoki Senzō, an Edo haberdasher who lived during the 18th century. Utilising a variety of materials of varying colours and textures - from mother-of-pearl to horn to stained ivory to coral - he would inlay small, shaped pieces into a base material such as gold lacquer, wood, or ivory. The technique is named after the town in Chiba prefecture where Ōnoki lived, and it flourished under the patronage of the feudal daibyo lords and wealthy merchants under the rule of Tokugawa Lenari (1773-1841). Following displays at the Paris Exposition of 1867, the western world became enamoured with the artform too, and its popularity and demand exploded from the 1870s onwards with artisans breaking away from traditional Japanese everyday items such as netsuke, small flower vases, inro, and boxes, to create larger-scale, multidisciplinary works combining the talents of inlay artists, metalworkers, goldsmiths, enamellers and lacquerers.
Era: Vintage, circa 1960
Ring size: X or 11.5 US. Please get in touch to discuss resizing if needed
Head: 13.0mm by 13.0mm
Stones: Mother of Pearl, Abalone, Garnet (variety: Hessonite & Almandine-Pyrope)
Marks:
Condition: Great vintage condition, light wear consistent with age
Full appraisal document provided with each item
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
UPS Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs charges a 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" on all parcels coming in from the UK.
We will pay this charge on your behalf and you will see it collected as a line item at checkout.
[Last updated: September 15th, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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An inscription can be added inside the band, where space allows. Add 2-3 weeks to shipping times
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