Silver dish with swallow design, 1860 - 1880. Museum no. A.939-1910

Silver dish
Japan
1860 - 1880
Patinated copper, silver and gilt, gold
Museum no. 354-1880

Silver dish with incised & applied decoration in  patinated copper, silver & gilt with shibuichi foot ring.  Decorated with foliate  branches (leaves and bud in copper and gold) and  bamboo shoots framing two swallows (copper and  gold) and an insect (butterfly or bee possibly) in flight. The swallow is a symbol of good luck, fertility and fidelity.