Japanese okimono from the Meiji period (1868–1912) iris botanical hana-shōbu

Museum-quality Japanese okimono from the Meiji period (1868–1912), finely carved as an elegant iris botanical (hana-shōbu / kakitsubata), a flower deeply admired in Japanese art for its association with refinement, seasonal beauty, and perseverance.

(2 SOLD) One of six botanicals from this collection being offered.

This piece comes from a private family lineage and belonged to my grandmother, who acquired it prior to my mother’s birth in 1943. It has remained in continuous family ownership for generations.

The composition features multiple iris blossoms at varying stages of bloom, rising naturally from a clustered base. Gracefully curved stems and elongated, blade-like leaves create a sense of movement and balance. The flowers display layered petals with softly flared forms, accented by warm golden veining and subtle lavender-to-deep-plum edging—hallmarks of refined Meiji-period carving.

The carving demonstrates exceptional naturalism and compositional harmony, characteristic of hi