As
her eyes gaze downward, and her body leans slightly toward
the left she holds a fan and demurely shields her face with
a flower. This ivory okimono is an exceptionally sensitive
depiction of the beauty and charm of a geisha, which likewise
honors the loveliness of all women... and the carver's delicate
finesse.
Although
the okimono is a geisha in a traditional kimono, stylistically,
the carving shows an adaptation of early European influences,
which allows us to date it in the early 1900s, or the late
Meiji era. Possibly carved from a quality Asian ivory tusk,
it has a beautiful soft white color, and a finely polished
even shine. This piece is well preserved with no visible defect.
