The reticulated crab in the centre of the picture, 10in (25cm) diameter, was the outstanding piece in this ensemble, bringing £1300 from the trade.
Otherwise, from left to right, the cracked okimono of the farmer holding a bird, 7in (18cm) high, made £90; the slightly larger farmer with a basket was bid to £90; the carved wood and ivory group of three figures, 41/2in (11.5cm) high, sold for £260, the boy with a cap made £90, and the orange seller took £80.
Okimono sideways to success
WE are used to seeing one-piece, tabletsigned, Japanese ivories in good condition make anything from £800 up to several thousand pounds at auction. But somewhat more surprising, given the selective state of the general market, was the high selling rate of low-grade okimono, right, at the Clevedon Salerooms (15 per cent buyer’s premium) in Bristol on September 5.
