Posted 12 years ago
jamiedpt
(179 items)
I bought two very cool items at the auction this weekend that I "assume" are Ivory. They sold them as "bone" with a wink of an eye. I think these items are amazing, will post the elephant seperately. I cannot believe the detail in these carvings, especially on the letter opener, seeing the trunks and tails intertwined....how do you carve something that small? Have no idea of their age and no idea of their value but I think they are cool! Any info is appreciated
Ive never been into Asian or middle Eastern works but have been very impressed with the quality & detail of a lot of their work. Heat a pin (holding with pliers) real hot & see if it melts into the piece. If plastic, it will go in, if ivory it won't. Of course you do it in a spot where it doesn't really show in case it is plastic.
See my recent post in my walrus tusk to see how clever fakes are now.
Once in a country, there is no real worry about selling or buying ivory unless it can be proven that you imported it illegally.
Kevin, I didn't mention bone in the test because I thought it was too obvious. I repeat,
"Once in a country, there is no real worry about selling or buying ivory unless it can proven that you imported it illegally". Do you think they will be DNA testing on old piano keys & hauling old ladies off to jail? Be realistic! Even if they wanted to arrest granny, proof is on them. Why scare people over what your Amer. Gestapo possibly could do? This issue is moot.
This is a good example of why I don't live there. Americans don't respect the law, - they fear it (and with good reason). For something to be respected, it has to respectable.
thanks officialfuel, kerry10456, blunderbuss2, toolate2, and BELLIN68
it is the real deal not plastic
I have been recently going through my grand parents storage & helping them organize tons of collectibles they have. I have come across a letter opener very similar to yours. I did the test w/ the pin & it appears to be authentic. Can you tell me how l can find out what it is worth ?? I don't want to sell it, but they have a blink of items that appear to be ivory and we are curios. Any input you can give will be great! Thanks :)
LaurenStrawn An antique dealer I trust put a value of about $40 on this piece