Okimono
of a sensitively realized Japanese beauty accompanied by two deers, she is standing
gracefully above a tall ivory tusk pedestal, carrying a lantern in one hand, and
against her chest she is holding a wooden pick of a certain kind of musical instument.
This indicates that she is a geisha, and is on her way to entertain her host of
the night.
Standing
at 11 inches tall, this fair size ivory okimono is lively carved in a naturalistic
pose, and fully decorated with meticulously scrimshaw in various motifs on a detailed
kimono. The carving is likely created in the Showa period; yet undoubtedly a fine
example of the extraordinary elegance in romanticism since Meiji (1868-1911).
The ivory patina is cream white; other than a small age crack above her hat, the
okimono is in excellent condition.
