Featured Japanese Figurine

I'm rather new at looking at Japanese ivory figurines, so I hope you'll be patient.

This guy was purchased by my great aunt (long deceased) in Japan on a trip in the early 1950s. I think it's ivory because of the smooth, heavy feel and the thumbprint-like Schreger lines visible in the base. Don't know if you can see them, but they're abundant in the second photo.

The piece appears to be signed "i H I"; I have no idea who that might be, nor do I have an idea of who this figure is supposed to represent, if anyone. Is it a mythical figure? A farmer? No idea.

There are cracks in each side of the skull, although they don't connect on top, and a crack in one of the legs. The figurine is 7" tall and the base is 3" across.The feet and legs are separate pieces, as is the basket. He's holding a butterfly on a twig. I assume the staff (bo?) is supposed to be there. There is a hole between his shoulder blades, to which a backpack (Oi?) was no doubt once attached. I hope that doesn't hurt the value too much.

Overall, I love the level of craftsmanship and will never sell this family heirloom. If it's ivory, it would be nice to know a ballpark insurance value, if any of you folks have an idea.

 

It definitely rewards a close look.

Thanks INH!

 

I LOVE it.....I think it's simplicity is well done and beautiful!!!!!!! He looks like he could have significant age to him!!

 

I believe the correct Japanese term for this is "okimono."

 

Wow. What a lovely object.

 

I have an old catalog (1980) that shows dozens of similar figurines. Many are dated circa 1900, but just as many show no date. The descriptions are vague as to subject - farmer, fisherman, priest, peasant... like that: a description of what activity was depicted. The prices were not very high for that time, the majority in the $300 to $700 range. Size was generally about the same as yours, though many of these carvings were more complex. It doesn't seem to be used in this catalog, but I think the principal descriptive phrase you should be using to search is "ivory okimono" (as per Bakersgma).

Keeping in mind that this catalog is nearly 40 years old.

 

looks like the legs were repaired at some point.........

 

Looks to me as though the head may also be a separate piece?

 

as is the basket and maybe the feet...

 

That's why I included the word 'also', to add the head to the list.

 

Nice, @Ghopper1924!

 

Yes indeed, the head is a separate piece as well.

Thanks for all of your marvelous feedback!

 

Well, thanks to my new keywords "ivory okimono" I've found quite a few similar figures. Many do seem to date to around 1900, with the values on sold examples higher than I expected.

It's all good!

I've got a female figure to go with the guy I depicted up above. I'll have to take some photos of her when time permits.

 

as long as she's of age........

 

The marks on the bottom could be numbers. Looks pretty much like "51" in japanese. If so that could be the model number of that figure's design, similar to model number marks on dishware.

Where do you see ivory being sold? I thought it had become almost impossible to sell without strong documentation?

 

Appraisals given by jewellers 'for insurance purposes' seem to be wildly inflated, so start with prices realized for similar items sold in recent years & go from there. For example, look at this lot & following ones:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17688/lot/936/?category=list

 

Yes, I'm aware of the danger of "feel good" appraisals. However, Bronwen, the sold prices in your link make me feel pretty durn good. Which also answers Jeff's question.