Japanese Okimono Of A Fishmonger (1868-1912)

Refined ivory okimono depicting a fish seller with a goose at his feet. This signed image was made of walrus ivory during the Meiji period (1868-1912). An okimono is a Japanese ornament. The term is composed of the words oku and mono, which mean "place" and "thing" respectively. An okimono therefore has a purely aesthetic function. Traditionally, the statue was placed in an alcove or on a family altar. During the Meiji period, a large number of okimono were exported to the West. This sculpture is a typical example, as its design has nothing Japanese about it. The artist opted for a rather naive depiction of a Japanese fisherman, confirming the distorted image many Westerners had of Japanese society. Such statues were placed in many European living rooms as eye-catchers. Japanese ivory carving is considered some of the finest in the world, as illustrated by this figurine. The Meiji era was marked by a rapid social transformation in Japan. After centuries of isolation, Emperor Meiji opened his country's borders to the West. The emperor was inspired by liberal democracies. The Meiji era brought all sorts of social and cultural changes. For example, compulsory education was introduced and serfdom was abolished. In military terms, the samurai disappeared. This statue is made of walrus ivory and therefore does not require a CITES certificate. Condition: There are a few black spots on the back of the sculpture. There is an open space in the basket itself, which may indicate that some fish are missing. Otherwise, this sculpture is in good condition.