As
her eyes gaze downward, and her body leans slightly toward the left she holds
a fan and demurely shields her face with a flower. This okimono is an exceptionally
sensitive depiction of the beauty and charm of a geisha, which likewise honors
the loveliness of all women... and the carver's delicate finesse.
Although
the okimono is a geisha in a traditional kimono, stylistically, the carving shows
an adaptation of early European influences, which allows us to date it in the
early 1900s, or the late Meiji era. Possibly carved from a quality Asian tusk,
it has a beautiful soft white color, and a finely polished even shine. This piece
is well preserved with no visible defect.