Okimono in the shape of a frog. Japan, early 20th century

Okimono in the shape of a frog. Japan, late Meiji period, early 20th century.
Carved wood (possibly keyaki).
Measurements: 20 x 36 x 46 cm.

Finely carved decorative sculpture (okimono) representing a frog in a resting attitude, notable for the meticulous treatment of the surface, with reliefs that mimic the organic texture of the animal's skin.

Okimono are Japanese sculptures intended for interior decoration, especially popular during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japanese art experienced an important opening towards the West. These works combine technical virtuosity and a deep interest in nature.

The frog, in Japanese culture, has positive symbolic connotations, associated with good fortune and safe return, as the word kaeru means both "frog" and "return". This piece, in addition to its ornamental value, can be interpreted within this symbolic imaginary, where the natural and the spiritual are intertwined.