Item number: 60232
A contemporary Mokume-gane sake cup,
fine silver, copper, Shibuichi and Kuroshibuichi,
San Diego 2025 by Anne Wolf
The cup form, raised from a single continuous sheet of Mokume-gane.
A small yet exquisite work by the American metalsmith Anne Wolf.
4.0 cm / 1.57″ height, 3.5 cm / 1.38″ diameter
Shibuichi is a traditional Japanese copper and silver alloy, valued for its characteristic grey tones created through varying proportions of the metals and the application of patination. Kuroshibuichi refers to a darker variation, distinguished by a higher copper content and a specialised surface treatment that produces deep grey to black tones, enhancing engravings, relief work and the sculptural qualities of the metal object.
The distinctive craftsmanship of Anne Wolf’s Mokume-gane works
Anne Wolf is an internationally recognised metal artist, jewellery designer and specialist in Mokume-gane, based in San Diego, California. For more than three decades, she has dedicated her practice to the exploration and refinement of traditional Japanese metalworking techniques, establishing herself as one of the leading voices in contemporary Mokume-gane in the United States.
Following her studies in Applied Design and the completion of a Master of Fine Arts in Jewellery and Metals at San Diego State University, Wolf developed a distinctive artistic language that combines exceptional technical precision with the organic structures of nature and geology. Her oeuvre encompasses Mokume-gane vessels, including tea caddies, boxes, vases and small bowls, as well as sculptural works and jewellery. Her creations are distinguished by intricate metal patterns that evoke wood grain, sedimentary formations and the traces of natural erosion.
Wolf studied with leading international practitioners of Japanese metal art, damascene techniques and Mokume-gane, and today continues to share her expertise through teaching, workshops and courses worldwide. Her works have been presented in numerous national and international exhibitions and are recognised for their innovative fusion of traditional craftsmanship, contemporary design and experimental approaches to metal. From her San Diego studio, Anne Wolf remains a significant figure in American metalsmithing, creating works that explore the evolving relationship between vessel, sculpture and material expression.
