Single Menuki of a Crawling Lion Dog – MS-028

Type: MS (Menuki Single)

This is a single menuki depicting a crouching or crawling lion dog rendered in a compact, rounded form. The base metal Looks like a gentle shakudo with a coffee like color, now softened from age and handling. Small traces of gilt remain on the mane and flank, indicating the piece originally carried gilt highlights that would have enlivened the sculpted relief. The figure is modeled in a low rounded style with exaggerated musculature and an expressive head turned slightly to one side, conveying motion and alertness. On the reverse, the menuki retains an integral post (ume), which is inserted slightly off-center and appears original to the piece. Hard wear on the surface has muted the details of the lion dog.