Posted 6 years ago
LOUMANAL
(436 items)
Picked up this Ivory 11 3/4" long segmented arm with fist on the weekend at a flea market. It's in three parts and the centre section has the two screw pins. There is another hole near the narrow tapered end that something would screw in. This end is bevelled so it could have held a band/connector. I suspect that this handle connected to something like an umbrella or walking cane but I'm not sure. The hand/clenched fist measures 1 1/2" across and the tapered end measures a little over 1/2". The pink on the fingernail was probably added at a much later time and is coming off.
Bob, maybe you are going to laugh at my usage, but it might be an Asian back scratcher. Never seen one in ivory and in segments, but have seen others in Antique Oriental items, when I was heavily involved in that. Very rare, think you made a great find. The nail polish might just peel of the ivory surface if you soak it. :=)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/20261278_grouping-of-3-back-scratchers
link to a few of those, yours has a closed hand making a fist, so it's different.
Thanks truth or dare for the comments and love. I don’t think my fisted hand would scratch anything, maybe rub things but I think it had to connect to something like a walking cane or some other useful uses.
Thank you Newfld, vetraio50, aura, Fort Apache, bracken3, jscott0363 and blunderbuss2 for the loves. Bob
Yes Bob, it could have been something else, but the overall look of it, made me think of a back scratcher, I did notice the hand was clenched, perhaps for some other use. The Asians had all kinds of implements to massage and rub and whatever. They did make some complex things with ivory.
Some were beautiful, valuable and decorative. Seems your's has been modified because the screws look modern. It would be great to see it in it's original state. I love these old mystery pieces. Thanks for posting.
Thank you kwqd, vynil33rpm, and collectables59 for the loves.
Thank you AnythingObscure and junkman60 for the loves. RER