Japanese Okimono Figurines

Okimono ivory figurines are Japanese works of art that date back to the Edo period (1615-1868) but gained popularity in the Meiji period (1868-1912). During this period, American trading vessels began sailing to Japan from New England, where marine ivory scrimshaw carvings were well known.

That trading route came to greatly influence a demand for Japanese works of art such as netsuke – miniature sculptures made from Japanese carved ivory that represent the culture’s habits and mythology.

Due to this new demand, Japanese metalworkers began to create okimonos to appeal to the Western audience. There are two classifications of ivory okinomos, based on trends in carving. The first includes pieces that contain chisel marks by the artist, which is admired by some Japanese art enthusiasts; the second includes works that are smoother, without chisel marks, considered the result of good craftsmanship. <a href=”https://www.invaluable.com/japanese-netsuke/sc-HWY0N8NQVO/”>Japanese netsuke</a> is another form art which appealed to the western audiences and became a popular export.

Quick Facts

• The word okimono means “object of display”
• Ivory Okimonos were made as ornamental carvings for the tokonoma, a decorative alcove that is a vital part of a Japanese home and is used for the display of paintings, pottery, art, and flower arrangements
• A rare iron okimono of a dragon with a moving head, leg joints, mouth and ears sold at Bonhams’ Fine Japanese Art sale in November 2010 for £120,000