Bang a drum, it’s Tiny Tuesday!
 
These delightful miniature carvings are Japanese Okimonos and are masterfully carved in ivory. Okimonos are decorative figural pieces, carved out of various materials, and were a popular souvenir for visitors to Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These specific pieces are part of a collection purchased during 1919 and 1920 by Daniel Bradford Wetherell (1897-1982).
 
Daniel was the son of Alexander Morton Wetherell – whose carved wooden cup was featured last Tiny Tuesday – and Annie Hale (Bosworth) Wetherell. Daniel travelled extensively throughout the globe during his life, documenting his travels and purchases through letters and photographs sent home to Fall River! Daniel’s mother, Annie, was also fond of collecting trinkets from her travels, whether book plates or souvenir silver spoons. These Okimonos, along with letters, photographs, and objects detailing Daniel’s travels, are part of an extensive collection of documents pertaining to the Wetherell family that were recently donated to the Historical Society.