Share your favorites on Show & Tell

How does one identify ivory pieces?

In Asian > Show & Tell.
ivory21 of 30A old Ivory boat Carved Ivory Elephant Trinket Box
3
Love it
0
Like it

melaniejmelaniej loves this.
auraaura loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    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

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Asian Antiques
    See all
    1930 Antique KAWASE HASUI Nocturnal Japanese Woodblock Print FULL MOON AT MAGOME
    1930 Antique KAWASE HASUI Nocturnal...
    $751
    A Large 18th Century Chinese Famille Rose Bowl
    A Large 18th Century Chinese Famill...
    $136
    Antique TSUCHIYA KOITSU Japanese Woodblock Print Rain at Asakusa Kannon Temple
    Antique TSUCHIYA KOITSU Japanese Wo...
    $107
    Rare Antique Chinese Miao Silver Enamel Mosaic jade Pendant Amulet
    Rare Antique Chinese Miao Silver En...
    $13
    logo
    1930 Antique KAWASE HASUI Nocturnal Japanese Woodblock Print FULL MOON AT MAGOME
    1930 Antique KAWASE HASUI Nocturnal...
    $751
    See all

    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

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.