Japanese Carved Okimono Figure of a Woman with a Crab
MakerMade by
Kazan
DateMeiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Object NameOkimono Figure
Mediumivory
ClassificationsApplied Art
DimensionsOverall (Height x Width x Depth): 65 × 70 × 35mm
AcquisitionBequeathed in 1928 by Miss Ann Reid.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS011217
About MeThis carved ivory figure, by Japanese artist Kazan, depicts a kneeling woman beside a basket, who appears to be screaming as she is pinched by a crab.Okimono are small sculptures as equally charming as netsuke, albeit a little larger.
They often depict the same subjects as netsuke, but people, especially working are more common, sometimes seen in striking poses with strongly expressed emotions. They were made to stand inside a tokonoma, a traditional alcove found in the main room of a Japanese home, reserved for displaying wall scrolls and decorative art.
Okimono were very much sought after and usually made by the same makers and artists who produced netsuke. As netsuke became obsolete during the late 19th century, when many Japanese adopted Western dress, these artists concentrated their skills on creating okimono. This made the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) the most prolific in okimono production with many being exported to the West.
More About Me
Okimonos often stood in the alcove (tokonoma) of the main room of a Japanese house. Here a woman screams after being pinched by a crab.
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Jugyoku
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Edo Period, possibly late 18th century
Edo Period, possibly late 18th century
Edo Period, possibly late 18th century
Edo Period, possibly late 18th century
Meiji Period, 1868 - 1912
Edo Period, possibly late 18th century
Possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Qing Dynasty, possibly 19th century
Edo Period, late 19th century
James Cromar Watt
Qing Dynasty, 18th - 19th century
James Cromar Watt
Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period, 1402 - 1424
