{"product_id":"carved-bone-okimono-laughing-figure-with-dragon","title":"Japanese-Style Carved Bone Okimono of a Reclining Laughing Figure with Dragon-Like Creature – Probably Early to Mid 20th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJapanese-Style Carved Bone Okimono of a Reclining Laughing Figure with Dragon-Like Creature – Probably Early to Mid 20th Century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSome figures are carved to be prayed to; this one seems to have been carved simply to be smiled at.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOkimono are small Japanese display carvings, made to be set on a shelf or in an alcove rather than worn. They grew out of the same tradition as netsuke, the carved toggles once used to hang pouches from a kimono sash. This figure has no drilled cord holes, which suggests it was made for display, and it is best described as a display carving in the okimono tradition. It is attributed to the early to mid twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plump, laughing figure reclines against a cushion, one hand raised behind the head and the other holding a long cord that runs to a small dragon-like creature resting on the thigh. The face is carved with closed, smiling eyes; the hair is combed back and bound, and the wrists and ankles wear bangles. The robe and the creature’s body are finished with fine incised patterns. The cheerful, rounded figure recalls Hotei, the Japanese god of contentment, but without his usual cloth sack, so the subject is left unnamed. The flat back shows the natural surface of the bone, with warm brown coloration. The carving sits on a separate, later carved wooden stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery good condition, with warm coloration and visible surface wear consistent with age and handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Display carving in the okimono tradition; no drilled cord holes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: Carved bone, on a later carved wooden stand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Japanese style\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod: Attributed to the early to mid 20th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarks: Unsigned\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: Height 3.8 cm; length 10 cm (carving only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 83 g (carving only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Very good; warm coloration and visible surface wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyer profile: Collectors of Japanese and East Asian carvings, and anyone looking for a characterful small sculpture for a shelf or cabinet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector Appeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall bone okimono bring the detail of Japanese miniature carving within reach of the everyday collector. This one has real personality, from the laughing face to the small creature on its cord, and its separate stand makes it ready to display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe laughter is carved into the bone; whatever amused the figure remains its own secret.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Dancing Faun Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44951733010632,"sku":null,"price":6995.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/3497\/2104\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_3d3eaf1e-a0d4-435f-9c95-0d7dce9fce86.png?v=1775910637","url":"https:\/\/dancingfaun.co.za\/products\/carved-bone-okimono-laughing-figure-with-dragon","provider":"The Dancing Faun Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}