Ivory okimono of an apple branch

This artwork is made out of ivory. It is one of two made with this material in the LAM. The other is also in this room. Can you figure out which one it is?

You might be wondering how this work can be made from ivory. It was done using a special Japanese cutting technique called “okimono”. With these “okimono’s” their maker is usually unknown. That is because most of the time the sculptures themselves are not signed. They were usually kept in handmade wooden boxes. Those boxes would be signed and that’s how people knew the name of the artist. That is why in most cases the name of the artist is only known because the original box has survived. The other “okimono” in the LAM collection is not signed and no box has survived so we don’t know who made it. But these apples are special, there is a signature on them and we know the name of the artist: Ono Kanryo. 

Want to know more about this work of art? Start a conversation with one of our employees or a visitor. They will be happy to share their knowledge and thoughts on this object. And to hear yours of course!