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How does one identify ivory pieces?

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Asian Antiques10130 of 10500rare japanese vaseEstate sale  Both for $50.oo
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    Posted 13 years ago

    murthog
    (3 items)

    All I know of these is that they are (obviously) Asian and they both stand 7 inches tall, including the ebony stands.
    Age is unknown. The ivory has yellowed, particularly on the male figure's back.
    There are no marks anywhere on either. I know that sometimes the character portrayed can give some clues - does anyone know of any references?

    Thanks.
    Alan

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    Comments

    1. imander imander, 13 years ago
      hi
      thay are very nice looking, but i have my doubts on wether they are ivory, a lot of this sort of ware is produced in ox bone and resin, a hot needle test would be a help. Find an area that is hidden and heat up the end of a needle, if it pushes in easily then it probably is resin, if it wont go in it could be bone or ivory, a close look under a strong magnifier should show tell tale lines that naturally occur in ivory and bone. hope that helps a bit
      ian
    2. murthog, 13 years ago
      Thanks for the good advice. I examined them under a 4X loupe and I do see the lines. Just to make sure I will try that needle test later.
      If both have lines, how does one tell bone from ivory?
    3. ATTWOOD ATTWOOD, 11 years ago
      http://m.wikihow.com/Tell-Ivory-from-Bone
      They are lovely pieces-Do you know their age?
      Cheers Rose
    4. kyratango kyratango, 9 years ago
      Beautiful ivory carvings!

      https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Ivory-genuine-fake--confusing
    5. apostata apostata, 3 years ago
      i don,t see any trouble actually first one is a fukurokuju without karako

      and the second is a geisha or shojo with fan

      they got the right patina and they are heavy on sumi so this must be some type of mejji

      i think the right one is better than the first because of the curvilinearity of the carvings, but the right probably got an hairline due to dehydration

      you have to put one saucer with shallow water in front or behind the artifact or two small filled shot glasses in the surrounding

      don,t underestimate this is good money and this is good stuff

      greetings Waki

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