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...

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A Japanese signed carved ivory okimono of a fisherman. Meiji…

Carved Ivory Fisherman: Meiji Period

A Japanese signed carved ivory okimono of a fisherman. Meiji period (1868-1911)

A Japanese Meiji period fine carved ivory okimono of a man…

Meiji Ivory Okimono of Masked Man and Child

A Japanese Meiji period fine carved ivory okimono of a man wearing a demon mask, a shishi mask he holds above and pulling over his head, a young child sits beside copying his action, fine engraved and stained detail, minor repair. 6.5 cm x 6 cm

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

A Meiji carved ivory okimono of a fisherman upholding a figure…

Meiji Ivory Fisherman with God Figure

A Meiji carved ivory okimono of a fisherman upholding a figure of a god, signed to satchel. Height 18.5 cm.

A Meiji carved okimono of a man holding up a child, signature…

Meiji Carved Okimono of Man and Child

A Meiji carved okimono of a man holding up a child, signature panel to base. Height 17.5 cm.

A Meiji carved ivory okimono of a fisherman with attendant,…

Meiji Ivory Fisherman Okimono with Attendant

A Meiji carved ivory okimono of a fisherman with attendant, signed to base. Height 21.5 cm.

A Meiji period ivory okimono depicting a man holding a frog…

Meiji Ivory Okimono with Man and Frogs

A Meiji period ivory okimono depicting a man holding a frog with other frogs climbing, some losses. Signed to base. Height 16 cm.

A Japanese carved ivory okimono of a basket seller, signed to…

Japanese Ivory Basket Seller Okimono

A Japanese carved ivory okimono of a basket seller, signed to base. Height 15.5 cm

A Japanese carved ivory okimono of a basket seller, signed to…

Japanese Ivory Basket Seller Okimono

A Japanese carved ivory okimono of a basket seller, signed to base. Height 15.5 cm.

A Meiji carved ivory okimono of a deity with worshippers,…

Meiji Ivory Deity Okimono with Worshippers

A Meiji carved ivory okimono of a deity with worshippers, signature panel to base, with an associated stand. Height 13 cm.

A Japanese ivory okimono of a scholar Meiji period, 19th…

Japanese Ivory Scholar Okimono, Meiji Period

A Japanese ivory okimono of a scholar Meiji period, 19th century signed red plaque inset to base, 17 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono of a hunter Meiji period, 19th century…

Japanese Ivory Hunter Okimono, Meiji Period

A Japanese ivory okimono of a hunter Meiji period, 19th century signed to base, 20.5 cm high

A Japanese okimono of a geisha Meiji period, 19th century…

Meiji Geisha Okimono, 19th Century

A Japanese okimono of a geisha Meiji period, 19th century signed red plaque inset to base, 20 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono of a Farmer Meiji period, 19th century…

Meiji Ivory Farmer Okimono, 19th Century

A Japanese ivory okimono of a Farmer Meiji period, 19th century signed to base, 19 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono of a gentleman feeding Chickens Meiji…

Meiji Ivory Okimono: Gentleman Feeding Chickens

A Japanese ivory okimono of a gentleman feeding Chickens Meiji period, 19th century signed red plaque inset to base, 13 cm high

A Japanese carved ivory okimono late Meiji period (1866-1912)…

Japanese Ivory Chick Hatching Okimono

A Japanese carved ivory okimono late Meiji period (1866-1912) depicting a hatching chick inside an egg. Length 5 cm

A pair of Japanese okimono, early 20th century. The figures of…

Japanese Okimono Figures, Early 20th Century

A pair of Japanese okimono, early 20th century. The figures of an older man and woman, the man carrying a staff and a scroll and the stooped woman holding her fan, both lightly engraved and stained and signed underside. Height 11 cm. and 10 cm

A Japanese ivory okimono of an actor wearing a mask, Meiji…

Meiji Ivory Okimono of Masked Actor with Fan

A Japanese ivory okimono of an actor wearing a mask, Meiji period (1868-1912), wearing formal robes and holding a fan, red inlaid seal to base, 17 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono of a man, Meiji period (1868-1912),…

Meiji period ivory man with vegetables and scythe

A Japanese ivory okimono of a man, Meiji period (1868-1912), holding a basket of vegetables and a scythe, signed, 21 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono figure of a geisha, Meiji period…

Meiji Geisha Ivory Okimono Figure with Signature

A Japanese ivory okimono figure of a geisha, Meiji period (1868-1912), wearing formal attire, elaborate headdress and carrying a box with a flower, two character signature on a red lacquer tablet, 17.5 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono, of a noh actor, Meiji period…

Meiji ivory okimono of noh actor with mask

A Japanese ivory okimono, of a noh actor, Meiji period (1868-1912), wearing formal robes and headdress and holding a mask, four character signature, 13.5 cm high

A Japanese ivory okimono, of a fisherman, Meiji period…

Meiji Fisherman Ivory Okimono with Catch and Signature

A Japanese ivory okimono, of a fisherman, Meiji period (1868-1912), catching a fish, signed, 19 cm high, and 33 cm high including rod

A Japanese ivory okimono figure of a wood gatherer, Meiji…

Japanese Ivory Wood Gatherer Okimono Figure

A Japanese ivory okimono figure of a wood gatherer, Meiji period (1868-1912), carrying a bundle of finely carved twigs and holding smoking implements in his hands, signed in a red lacquer tablet, 20 cm high

An ivory okimono carved figure of a young boy blowing into a…

Young Boy Blowing Conch Shell Ivory Okimono

An ivory okimono carved figure of a young boy blowing into a conch shell. Signature to base. Height 4.8 cm

A Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period, late 19th century,…

Meiji Ivory Okimono of Seated Woman and Running Man

A Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period, late 19th century, possibly Tokyo school, two traditionally attired figures, a woman seated and a young man running, both smoothly finished and lightly engraved; unmarked and upon a timber stand. Height 11 cm. Width…

A Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period, late 19th century,…

Japanese Ivory Okimono with Male Figure and Double Gourd

A Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period, late 19th century, possibly Tokyo school, a traditionally attired male figure, lightly engraved, ink stained and tea coloured, carrying a large double gourd; signed in recessed red cartouche to base of foot. Height…

A Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period, late 19th century, the…

Meiji Ivory Okimono: Elderly Man with Double Gourd

A Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period, late 19th century, the figure of an elderly man with walking stick holding a double gourd aloft; unmarked. Height 13 cm

A Japanese ivory okimono of an elder with a money bag, early…

Japanese Ivory Elder with Money Bag Okimono

A Japanese ivory okimono of an elder with a money bag, early 20th century, a bearded traditionally attired man with one arm resting on a tree stump and holding a bag of money aloft, with line engraving and inking; having a feather engraved navette shape…

A Japanese ivory okimono of a man carrying a mask, early 20th…

Japanese Ivory Okimono with Lion Mask and Monkey

A Japanese ivory okimono of a man carrying a mask, early 20th century, a pierced and carved figure bearing a lion mask aloft and with a monkey at his feet, the figure in traditional attire, with line engraving and inking; having an oval hatched mark to…

A Japanese ivory okimono of an elder with a child, early 20th…

Japanese Ivory Okimono of Elder and Child

A Japanese ivory okimono of an elder with a child, early 20th century, the pierced and carved figure of an elderly slightly stooped man with a pronounced bulbous head and a lengthy beard, a small child at his feet, with engraved designs and inking; having…

A Japanese ivory fisherman okimono, early 20th century, a…

Japanese Ivory Fisherman with Cormorant and Fish

A Japanese ivory fisherman okimono, early 20th century, a pierced and relief carved traditional fisherman with a fishing cormorant upon his shoulder and a fish in the hand, with line engraving and inking, and having an oval hatched mark to base. Height 14…

A Japanese ivory okimono of an axeman, late Meiji period (late…

Japanese Ivory Axeman Okimono, Late Meiji Period

A Japanese ivory okimono of an axeman, late Meiji period (late 19th/early 20th century), finely carved and engraved as a naturally posed axeman in the throes of his craft, wearing traditional attire and carrying various accoutrements, with intricate…

Japanese ivory okimono of a drum seller, Meiji period. Height…

Meiji Ivory Drum Seller Okimono

Japanese ivory okimono of a drum seller, Meiji period. Height 14.5 cm

Japanese painted ivory okimono of a basket seller, Meiji period,…

Meiji Ivory Basket Seller Okimono

Japanese painted ivory okimono of a basket seller, Meiji period, Signed. Height 15.5 cm

An ivory okimono of a basket seller, Meiji period standing in…

Meiji Ivory Basket Seller Okimono

An ivory okimono of a basket seller, Meiji period standing in his waraji, turned to the side and carrying a bamboo pole over his right shoulder, suspended at the front and back with numerous baskets, drums and other wares hanging from ropes, and others…

A Japanese ivory okimono. Meiji period (1868-1912), utilising…

Japanese Ivory Okimono, Meiji Period

A Japanese ivory okimono. Meiji period (1868-1912), utilising the natural form of the tusk, with a male figure holding a fan posed against a tree holding a child aloft; etched square and triangular marks underside. Height 25.5 cm

Japanese ivory okimono of an egret, Meiji period (1868-1912).…

Meiji Ivory Egret Okimono (15 cm)

Japanese ivory okimono of an egret, Meiji period (1868-1912). Height 15 cm

Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period (1868-1912), carved as two…

Meiji Ivory Sake Drinkers

Japanese ivory okimono, Meiji period (1868-1912), carved as two men drinking sake dressed like bijin, signed.

Japanese okimono of a crab, Meiji period (1868-1912). Width 11.…

Meiji Crab Okimono

Japanese okimono of a crab, Meiji period (1868-1912). Width 11.5 cm

Small Japanese ivory okimono of a man smoking a pipe, late…

Ivory Okimono of Smoking Man and Monkey

Small Japanese ivory okimono of a man smoking a pipe, late Meiji period (1868-1912), sitting with a monkey on a tree trunk. Width 6.5 cm. Provenance: From the Rex Jennings Collection

A quality 19th century Japanese carved ivory Okimono, the man…

Japanese Ivory Okimono with Man, Boy, Monkey, and Dog

A quality 19th century Japanese carved ivory Okimono, the man and boy standing beside a street lamp upon which their monkey is perched, the lamp with turned base and hexagonal panelled light surround, lotus leaf type top, the shaped oval base also mounted…

An old carved Japanese ivory Okimono of an oni (demon), he sits,…

Japanese Ivory Oni Okimono with Mouse Clambering Bell

An old carved Japanese ivory Okimono of an oni (demon), he sits, an upraised bell in his hand from which clambers a mouse. Old repair to hand. Width 7 cm

Erotic carved ivory okimono, Japanese c. 1920, depicting a man…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Okimono, 1920

Erotic carved ivory okimono, Japanese c. 1920, depicting a man and a woman, signed to base. Height 8.25 cm

Ivory okimono, Japanese, figural carving of a Samurai helping a…

Samurai and Drunken Friend Okimono

Ivory okimono, Japanese, figural carving of a Samurai helping a drunken friend, flanked by sake merchant, bill of sale available. Height 20 cm. Exhibited formerly on loan to the Pittsburgh Museum, ex: H. J Heinz collection, ex: Ashkenazie & Company 1982.…

A Japanese figurative okimono totem, Meiji period / signed…

Dragon Scholar Ivory Okimono

A Japanese figurative okimono totem, Meiji period / signed carved, pierced and incised ivory depicting a scholar with dragon spirit incised signature to base 30.5 cm high

A Japanese figurative okimono totem, Meiji period / signed…

Japanese Ivory Fisherman Okimono with Oni Signature

A Japanese figurative okimono totem, Meiji period / signed carved, pierced and incised ivory depicting a fisherman with Oni incised signature to base. 30.5 cm high

Japanese carved ivory okimono Meiji period 1868 - 1912,…

Meiji Fisherman Ivory Okimono

Japanese carved ivory okimono Meiji period 1868 - 1912, modelled as fisherman holding a net, on a naturalistic wooden base inset with ivory. 24 cm high, 31 cm high

A Japanese okimono netsuke of a recumbent man. Signed. Length 5…

Recumbent Man

A Japanese okimono netsuke of a recumbent man. Signed. Length 5 cm

A good old Japanese carved ivory okimono representing wealth…

Ivory Okimono: Fish, Bamboo, Rats

A good old Japanese carved ivory okimono representing wealth and longevity, a fish thrown up from the sea upon a branch of bamboo surrounded by three rats. Finely carved, lightly stained, each animal with inlaid eyes. Length 9.5 cm

Carved ivory hand-coloured okimono of a peasant girl height 5…

Hand-Coloured Ivory Peasant Girl Okimono

Carved ivory hand-coloured okimono of a peasant girl height 5 cm. Provenance: Seddon Estate

Meiji/Taisho period (1868-1926), Japanese ivory okimono of an…

Japanese Ivory Okimono of Elderly Man, Signed (23cm)

Meiji/Taisho period (1868-1926), Japanese ivory okimono of an elderly man, Signed. Height 23 cm

A carved lapis lazuli okimono 'Monkey and fruit'

Lapis Lazuli Monkey and Fruit Carving

A carved lapis lazuli okimono 'Monkey and fruit'

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