Hartman Rare Art, Inc.

A family-owned business since 1927

For 83 years, the Hartman Family and our associates have consistently worked to provide quality antique merchandise to our customers at competitive prices. Should you have any questions about the pieces we feature on this website or if you would like to inquire further about a specific item, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our gallery is located in midtown Manhattan and easily accessible on the second floor. Please note the entrance to the building is on 53rd Street between Park and Madison Avenues. We are open to the public Monday to Friday from 9:30AM until 4:30PM.

The Japanese have a long tradition of creating stunningly beautiful sculptures and objects composed of carved ivory. Specifically, the figural okimono carvings are noted for their fine detail and exquisite craftsmanship. The selections on this page represent an array of the okimono we carry.

In March 2006, Hartman Rare Art hosted an exhibition of our finest Japanese Ivory Okimono. The printed catalog is still available through our gallery and a few of these items are featured alongside other okimono in this section. If you are interested in requesting this catalog with a full price list, please contact us.

If you enjoyed perusing these items, you might also want to see our Japanese Netsuke plus Chinese Ivory sections. And please feel free to browse more Hartman Rare Art on Ebay. You can also purchase more of our ivories on Antique Spider. Keyword: "hartmanrareart".

Man with a Bell and a Lantern, Muneyuki

This finely carved okimono features a man walking over rocks, carrying a large bell and paper lantern. This piece was carved by the artisan Muneyuki in Japan during the 19th century. The piece is carved in exquisite detail; the okimono is composed of several separately carved pieces pieced together. The figure measures approximately 7 inches length. Muneyuki's signature appears on the underside of the base.

Ji01

Price: $10,000.00

Eggplant and Flowers with Cricket

This naturalistically carved eggplant with flowers was made in Japan during the late 19th/early 20th century. The okimono is carved delicately; a very finely-carved grasshopper is modeled seated atop the eggplant. The squash and vegetation are highlighted with polychrome. The cricket's antennae and legs appear to be composed of some type of horn. This piece measures a total 8.5 inches length. The piece is marked on the underside of one of the stems.

Ji02

Price: $5,000.00

"Tokyo School" Man with a Chicken

This finely carved Japanese ivory okimono of a man with a rooster was made during the late Meiji Period circa early 20th century. The figure is modeled standing, holding a rooster. This piece appears to have been carved in the “Tokyo School” style, consistent with the date of this piece. The okimono is marked on the underside. It measures 8.25 inches height.

Ji04

Price: $5,000.00

Skeleton with Snakes

This finely carved ivory skeleton was crafted in Japan during the late 19th century. In this piece, several snakes twist around the figure. The delicately carved piece is openly worked, but very well-balanced. It features engraved and ink-highlighted calligraphy on the underside. This okimono measures 4.5 inches height.

Ji05

Price: $3,000.00

Man with a Dragon

The subject of this okimono is a man with a bowl from which a dragon rises. The man appears to be seated in front of a screen with the implements for making tea. It is quite possible the subject was inspired by a Japanese folk story or legend. The piece is delicately carved. The modeling is rather naturalistic. An artisan's signature appears on the underside. This okimono measures 7.5 inches height. This piece was formerly from the Mary Jane Buchanan collection.

Ji06

Price: $3,000.00