Okimono are small decorative ivory carvings similar to but larger than netsuke. During the Meiji period (1868–1912), they were made expressly for wealthy Western clients who favored traditional subjects and figures that reflected Japanese life, such as artisans, entertainers, samurai, fishermen, children, animals, Buddhist figures, and mythological creatures. The uniqueness of each carving is dictated by the size and shape of the ivory and, of course, by the skill of the artisan. Bordignon, an antiques dealer since 1991 and a member of the British Antique Dealers Association, features over 120 delicate okimono from the collection of Chicagoan A.M. Kanter, along with a miscellany of bronze, silver, and shibayama (mosaic inlay) metalwork pieces. A cursory introduction to Meiji craftsmanship is followed by dazzling full-page photographs of each object, with a description, dimensions, signature in English and Japanese, provenance, and small photo of the signature block on the opposite page. Many tell a story or legend in a playful, humorous fashion. Appendixes cover artists, signatures, and ivory collecting and care. VERDICT This specialized study that emphasizes the beauty and variety of okimono carvings will be important for Asian art historians and collectors.—Russell T. Clement, Northwestern Univ. Lib., Evanston, IL
