This little piece was made toward the end of last year. It's a metalworkers version of a netsuke. If these terms are unfamiliar to you they are basically small toggles that were used in pre-modern Japan to help secure various accessories to the sash ( obi) worn around the kimono.This one measures about 4 cm across and is made up of the metal insert, the darker disc ( iron) which is set in a gold rim, and the wooden bowl, which acts as the frame.
The banana leaves are inlaid and carved brass ( well, variants of the alloy ) with a touch of silver depicting the rain streaks.
I've made about 14 miniature sculptures in this format and refer to them as the Metal Haiku collection. I think I've done enough of these, at least for now, and am now working on something quite a bit larger.
I documented the making of this piece photographically and will eventually get around to editing the vast record and making it into some sort of photo essay. I'll probably post it here.
