An okimono is a small decorative Japanese sculpture that was popular during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and continues to be created by artisans today. Okimono translates to "object for display" and is typically made from materials such as ivory, wood, bronze, and ceramics.

The tradition of Japanese sculpture dates back thousands of years, but the okimono as a distinct form emerged during the Meiji period, which saw a period of rapid modernization and increased contact with the West. Okimonos were created as decorative objects to be displayed in the home, often depicting animals, mythological creatures, or scenes from daily life.

Okimonos were made by skilled craftsmen and were highly prized for their intricate detail and craftsmanship. They were often signed by the artist, and many were created for export to Western markets, where they were in high demand among collectors.

During the Meiji period, Japan experienced a surge of more...

437 items found, 385-437 shown:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

You can reduce the number of items displayed by entering a keyword that must be included in the description of the item.

OR

You can restrict the number of items to those sold in recent years. Select which years:

An old Japanese carved deer antler okimono of a seated skeleton,…

Seated skeleton okimono on deer antler

An old Japanese carved deer antler okimono of a seated skeleton, his hands resting to his left knee, he sits in the wider base section. Diameter 6.5 cm height 6 cm

A Meiji period Japanese carved ivory Okimono, the box seller in…

Japanese Ivory Box Seller Okimono

A Meiji period Japanese carved ivory Okimono, the box seller in traditional robe with various boxes tied to a branch.

A Japanese 'Changing Face' ivory okimono, late Meiji period,…

Articulated Kabuki Okimono with Changing Faces

A Japanese 'Changing Face' ivory okimono, late Meiji period, 1868-1912, the articulated Kabuki character with long hair holding a sword, with a revolving head depicting both a threatening and a benign visage, lightly engraved and inked. Height 5 cm

A signed Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period,…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Okimono, Taisho Period

A signed Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s the shunga okimono of a man and woman in an embrace, with finely engraved and stained highlights, two-character mark to the underside. Height 6.5 cm

A signed Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period,…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Okimono, Taisho Period

A signed Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s the shunga okimono of a man and woman in an embrace, with finely engraved and stained highlights, two-character mark under clothing. Width 5 cm

A small Japanese ivory rabbit okimono, 20th century. Modelled…

Japanese Ivory Rabbit Okimono, 20th Century

A small Japanese ivory rabbit okimono, 20th century. Modelled as a sitting rabbit with an alert expression, its long ears folded back, with nice facial details, unsigned, width 4.5 cm

A carved and signed okimono of a man accompanied by a crane,…

Man and Crane Okimono with Signature, Early 20th Century

A carved and signed okimono of a man accompanied by a crane, early 20th century, a bearded figure in a kimono holding a fan and a broomstick accompanied by a red crested crane, lightly engraved with touches of colour, two character signature to base, with…

A small antique ivory okimono of a man, Meiji period, 1868-1912,…

Meiji Period Ivory Okimono of Seated Man

A small antique ivory okimono of a man, Meiji period, 1868-1912, the expressive figure of a seated man in a lightly engraved and inked robe, unsigned, as found, height 6 cm

A vintage ivory okimono of a tiger, Showa period, mid 20th…

Vintage Ivory Tiger Okimono

A vintage ivory okimono of a tiger, Showa period, mid 20th century, the seated figure of a growling tiger with claws extended and tail curled over its back, lightly engraved to depict stripes, with black bead eyes, height 6 cm

Japanese carved ivory okimono, depicting a figure leaning…

Japanese Ivory Horseback Rider Okimono

Japanese carved ivory okimono, depicting a figure leaning forward and riding on horseback, accented with coloured pigment, signature to base, length 6 cm

A vintage ivory okimono of a Buddha face, mid 20th century, the…

Mid-century Ivory Buddha Face Okimono

A vintage ivory okimono of a Buddha face, mid 20th century, the jovial well detailed face with pendulous lobes, signed to the reverse, length 4.5 cm

Japanese carved ivory okimono, depicting a man seated with legs…

Japanese Ivory Okimono: Seated Man with Branch and Knife

Japanese carved ivory okimono, depicting a man seated with legs crossed, holding a branch in one hand and a knife in the other, wearing robes incised with geometric motifs, height 5 cm

Antique Japanese carved ivory okimono of a curled up man.

Curled Up Ivory Okimono of Japanese Man

Antique Japanese carved ivory okimono of a curled up man.

Antique Japanese Meiji period carved ivory okimono depicting a…

Meiji Ivory Performer Okimono

Antique Japanese Meiji period carved ivory okimono depicting a performer, signed to base, 5.5 cm, high. This item may not be exported without CITES documentation

Japanese carved ivory okimono carved bats to vegetable piece.…

Miniature Ivory Bat and Vegetable Okimono

Japanese carved ivory okimono carved bats to vegetable piece. Height 3.5 cm

A vintage ivory okimono of a Sumo type figure, a well carved,…

Ink-Engraved Ivory Sumo Okimono

A vintage ivory okimono of a Sumo type figure, a well carved, inked and engraved figure of a corpulent middle aged figure with a furrowed brow wearing an open kimono and carrying a double gourd and a sack over his shoulder, signed underside, height 5 cm

An ivory Okimono, Meiji Period (1868-1911). 20 cm high.

Meiji Ivory Okimono, 20 cm

An ivory Okimono, Meiji Period (1868-1911). 20 cm high.

A Japanese carved ivory small okimono of a sleeping Buddha, his…

Sleeping Buddha on Drum Ivory Okimono

A Japanese carved ivory small okimono of a sleeping Buddha, his head resting upon a large slit drum, finely carved and stained detail to his robe. Length 4.3 cm

Japanese carved ivory okimono figure standing figure with child,…

Japanese Ivory Okimono Figure with Child, Signed

Japanese carved ivory okimono figure standing figure with child, signed to base, height 5 cm approx.

A Japanese marine ivory okimono, of a mask carver and child…

Japanese Ivory Okimono Mask Carver with Child and Buaku Mask

A Japanese marine ivory okimono, of a mask carver and child with a buaku mask. On wooden stand. Signed. Length 9 cm

A signed Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period,…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Okimono

A signed Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s the shunga okimono of a man and woman in an embrace, with finely engraved and stained highlights, two-character mark under clothing. Height 4 cm, width 5.5 cm

A signed carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s the…

Taisho Era Erotic Ivory Okimono

A signed carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s the two-piece carving of a man and woman in an embrace, with finely engraved and stained highlights, two-character mark to base. Width 4 cm

A vintage ivory okimono of two tigers, Showa period, mid 20th…

Vintage Ivory Tiger Okimono with Cub

A vintage ivory okimono of two tigers, Showa period, mid 20th century, a tiger with cub prowling upon rocky and vegetated ground, the figures in a roughcast finish with inked stripes, signed underside, height 12 cm

A finely carved ivory okimono of many faces, Meiji period,…

Meiji Ivory Okimono with Seven Joyful Faces

A finely carved ivory okimono of many faces, Meiji period, 1868-1912, seven conjoined and individually carved faces each with happy dispositions, width 4 cm

A finely carved ivory okimono of many faces, Meiji period,…

Smiling Faces Okimono

A finely carved ivory okimono of many faces, Meiji period, 1868-1912, seven conjoined and individually carved faces each with happy dispositions, length 4 cm

A Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, 20th century, 4.5 cm…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Okimono, 20th Century

A Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, 20th century, 4.5 cm high

Signed ivory okimono carved with eight immortal masks

Eight Masked Ivory Okimono of Immortals

Signed ivory okimono carved with eight immortal masks

Japanese ivory okimono. Carved ivory cylinder surmounted by…

Japanese Ivory Okimono with Blister Pearl

Japanese ivory okimono. Carved ivory cylinder surmounted by blister pearl. Some damage. Height 5.5 cm

Japanese carved ivory okimono seated man with batons, signed to…

Japanese Ivory Seated Man with Batons

Japanese carved ivory okimono seated man with batons, signed to base, height 5 cm approx.

Japanese carved timber rat okimono signed to base, width 9 cm

Japanese Carved Rat Okimono, Signed, 9cm Width

Japanese carved timber rat okimono signed to base, width 9 cm

Japanese carved ivory okimono, finely carved in the form of an…

Japanese Ivory Okimono: Elderly Man and Attendant

Japanese carved ivory okimono, finely carved in the form of an elderly man holding a hat, with attendant at feet kneeling, signed, height 4.5 cm

An antique ivory okimono of a man with a staff, Meiji period,…

Meiji Ivory Elder with Staff Okimono

An antique ivory okimono of a man with a staff, Meiji period, late 19th century, an elder with a happy disposition, in a finely engraved and inked cape decorated with stripes and leaves, upon a base, height 8 cm

Japanese carved ivory okimono, of demon on bat

Demon on Bat Ivory Okimono

Japanese carved ivory okimono, of demon on bat

Ivory okimono, fisherman with catch

Fisherman's Ivory Catch

Ivory okimono, fisherman with catch

Signed ivory okimono, two goldfish

Golden Fish: Signed Ivory Okimono

Signed ivory okimono, two goldfish

A small Japanese ivory okimono, of a warrior standing amongst a…

Japanese Ivory Warrior Okimono

A small Japanese ivory okimono, of a warrior standing amongst a rocky outcrop, width 4.5 cm

A small Japanese ivory okimono of a man, standing holding a…

Japanese Ivory Okimono with Lantern and Smoking Accessories

A small Japanese ivory okimono of a man, standing holding a paper lantern, a tabako-ire and kiseruzutsu at his feet. Two character signature on inlaid red lacquer table under the base. Height 7.2 cm

Japanese carved ivory Seated Man okimono height 4 cm approx.

Tiny Japanese Ivory Seated Man Okimono

Japanese carved ivory Seated Man okimono height 4 cm approx.

Japanese carved ivory okimono seated man with batons, signed to…

Carved Ivory Seated Man with Batons

Japanese carved ivory okimono seated man with batons, signed to base. Height 6 cm

Antique Japanese carved ivory okimono figure, standing woman…

Japanese Ivory Okimono Figure: Woman and Child

Antique Japanese carved ivory okimono figure, standing woman with child, signed to base. Height 5 cm approx.

Antique Japanese stained ivory temple dog Okimono,

Stained Ivory Japanese Temple Dog Okimono

Antique Japanese stained ivory temple dog Okimono,

A Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Okimono, Taisho Period

A Japanese carved ivory erotic okimono, Taisho period, 1920s the shunga okimono of an actively amorous couple at play, realistically carved, reversible, with engraved and inked highlights to the hair. Width 6 cm

Vintage Japanese carved ivory okimono figure, standing sage…

Japanese Ivory Sage Figure

Vintage Japanese carved ivory okimono figure, standing sage figure, signed to base. Height 5 cm approx.

Carved Japanese okimono 6 cm high, with cord and tassle attached

Japanese Okimono with Cord and Tassel

Carved Japanese okimono 6 cm high, with cord and tassle attached

Three ivory okimono, child with crane, child with sack & other

Ivory Child Okimonos with Crane and Sack

Three ivory okimono, child with crane, child with sack & other

A small vintage ivory okimono of a sleeping figure, with much…

Vintage Ivory Sleeping Figure Okimono

A small vintage ivory okimono of a sleeping figure, with much patination, an older male figure curled in his robe, signed, underside, height 3.5 cm

Antique Japanese Meiji period carved ivory okimono depicting a…

Meiji Ivory Man with Basket Okimono on Stand

Antique Japanese Meiji period carved ivory okimono depicting a man holding a basket, attached to wooden stand, 13 cm high approx. This item may not be exported .

Antique Japanese Meiji period carved ivory okimono depicting a…

Meiji period ivory okimono of man with staff and scroll

Antique Japanese Meiji period carved ivory okimono depicting a man holding a scroll in his left hand and a staff in his right, signed to base, 10.5 cm high. This item may not be exported.

Antique Japanese ivory figural okimono, C1920, height 5 cm…

Japanese Ivory Figural Okimono, C1920, 5cm Height

Antique Japanese ivory figural okimono, C1920, height 5 cm approx, Ex: Sydney private collection

Japanese antique carved Okimono, C:1920, gentleman with a…

Japanese Carved Okimono of Gentleman with Animal, 1920

Japanese antique carved Okimono, C:1920, gentleman with a animal, height 4 cm approx

A carved lapis lazuli okimono 'Monkey and fruit'

Lapis Lazuli Monkey and Fruit Carving

A carved lapis lazuli okimono 'Monkey and fruit'

Signed ivory okimono man playing with two children (slight base…

Ivory Man with Children Okimono

Signed ivory okimono man playing with two children (slight base chip)

Antique Japanese ivory fisherman okimono on timber base, c1920,…

Japanese Ivory Fisherman Okimono, c1920

Antique Japanese ivory fisherman okimono on timber base, c1920, signed to base, height 6 cm approx, (some losses)