Featured Ivory Okimomo - New year first find

Strolling about the shops yesterday, ran across a nice old Meiji era okimono.

Used to see these here and there, but I can't remember when I last saw one of a street entertainer - and my rule of thumb is: "If you haven't seen one before or if something is better quality than the best you've seen" chances are it's rare, so buy it.

So here it is. Stands 7-1/4", signed on base.

 

So much skill!

 

one of the nicest i've ever seen....

 

Cute!!

 

THAT'S SO VERY NICE!!!

 

Oohhh!!! You did well, it is a work of art, so skillfully detailed

 

Oh, I love it.

 

Okimono- monkimono variety. Very nice!

 

Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. What a wonderful find!

 

Awesome!

 

Let's just say I didn't get it for a dollar or anything ...was a little bit pricey, but still ...what the heck - it's only mon(K)ey, right?

 

That's a wenderful piece

 

I'm guessing that your username is Australian for money, and you are probably Australian. The market for antique ivory has been ruined in the US and badly hit in the UK because of the fuss around modern ivory and the first UK Royal for 400 years to earn headspace on a chopping block was the one who advocated destroying pieces from royal collections.

So, I was wondering what the ivory situation was in Australia nowadays?
I will still buy antique ivory in England but I am expecting to keep it til I die, and for it to be difficult or impossible to sell after that.

 

Well, not sure what you think my user id is all about ... (I know the UK is obsessed with OZ culture, probably due to binge-watching episodes of Neighbors?) but I had no idea about the Australian money thing and I'm not Australian or living in Australia!! I don't even have a pet kangaroo.

I'm not in the USA either BTW.

These days, in my dotage, I just buy what I consider to be art, regardless of the medium. I have no intention of shipping the piece across international borders and if I decide to sell the figure in the future, pretty sure I'll have no trouble.

 

That carving sure is nice. The ivory market here has gone underground, mostly, at least where I am. You can't sell it if you know what it is. It's good to see some of the old antique pieces are still appreciated.

 

"Funnily enough I've never seen one in a tree either and I live in the Pacific Northwest. Seen lots in a row running along the sides of the roads though."

So......you live in Canada, eh?

 

Yes I'm a toque wearing hoser from Canuckistan

 

So what is the ivory situation in Canada like.

 

The Chinese people covet it and we have a large Chinese Canadian population, so I suppose there's that ..anyway, for the time being OK but values are obviously far below what they were. I have two offers on it at the moment though, so on a personal level, pretty good!

 

I had an Asian carving of the Virgin Mary. Our Lady of the Busted Halo - she had a piece missing. The funny part is she looked more like Guan Yin than Mary. I gave her to a friend at Christmas who would get the humor. We can't really sell ivory around here.