Any ivory pros here?

[DetectPH]

Would really love to know more about these 3 items ive got. I know nothing about them at all. Except they are old. Have tried to detect the language and tried to decode the signatures but without luck. So any information is heartly welcomed. Thank you guys

 

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[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[vpnavy]

I moved ya from TODAY'S FINDS! over to WHAT IS IT? for more exposure.

 

[ARC]

Ok...

What exactly would you like to know ?

You have some elephant ivory and some Bakelite / resin.

They are "Netsukes".

As far as the "marks" are concerned... I do not read Chinese.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Ok...

What exactly would you like to know ?

You have some elephant ivory and some Bakelite / resin.

They are "Netsukes".

As far as the "marks" are concerned... I do not read Chinese.

I'm thinking these are Japanese, not Chinese my friend.
As you mentioned, most are made of resin, likely made for the tourist trade as opposed to used by the locals.

Hard to say how old they are, but this example looks to be made of bone and is probably 19thc.

Dave

"Netsuke, ornamental toggle-like piece, usually of carved ivory, used to attach a medicine box, pipe, or tobacco pouch to the obi (sash) of a Japanese man's traditional dress. During the Tokugawa period (1603–1868), netsukes were an indispensable item of dress as well as being fine works of miniature art."

 

[ARC]

Actually... there is a mix of both Japanese and Chinese.

 

[ARC]

There is the "Sitting Buddha"... which is Chinese.

There is "Sleeping / meditating warrior"... which is Japenese.

 

[ARC]

Then the group is ALSO... Chinese.

And If I had to guess ... even the Japanese looking one is IMO... Chinese made.... with look of Japanese style.

I say this because the craftsmanship is not indicative of Japanese.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Let me sit down and have a think about this, Chinese or Japanese... ok I give up.

 

[ToddsPoint]

The second pic down is mammoth ivory. You can tell by the angle of the Schreger lines. Gary

 

[DetectPH]

Thanks for all the replies guys. So if my items is made of resin. Does it still have any value or is it as one of you mentioned just an old souvenir?. Im happy for all of your replies. Thanks

 

[ARC]

Thanks for all the replies guys. So if my items is made of resin. Does it still have any value or is it as one of you mentioned just an old souvenir?. Im happy for all of your replies. Thanks

Yes.

 

[ARC]

The second pic down is mammoth ivory. You can tell by the angle of the Schreger lines. Gary

Schreger lines are in all types of ivory.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Schreger lines are in all types of ivory.

Nope. Hippo ivory has no Schreger lines. It's the angle of the intersection of the lines that's the give away. Mammoth ivory lines cross close to 90°. Elephant ivory lines cross at a much steeper angle. I carve ivory and have lots of mammoth and hippo. I have no elephant ivory and don't want any. Gary

 

[ARC]

Ivory comes from elephants... prehistoric elephants...walrus... whales... hippopotamus... warthogs... pigs... boars... beaver, elk, camel and bears.

Some have em some don't.

 

[ARC]

Nope. Hippo ivory has no Schreger lines. It's the angle of the intersection of the lines that's the give away. Mammoth ivory lines cross close to 90°. Elephant ivory lines cross at a much steeper angle. I carve ivory and have lots of mammoth and hippo. I have no elephant ivory and don't want any. Gary

Did you also know that many Netsukes ,,, and possibly the one pictured WITH these lines may in fact not be Ivory at all ?

Just because there are crosss hatchings does not make it ivory as well.

Some are carved from "ivory nuts" which have these lines.

Sight alone dictates only first step.

I am sure since you seem to be somewhat involved with Ivory that you have the simple tools to positively I.D. with an age ?

 

[ARC]

Errr arrrg... not awake yet... still working on first sips of coffee.

Anyway... the main tool needed here to I.D. these as to BOTH comp and age is long wave light.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Did you also know that many Netsukes ,,, and possibly the one pictured WITH these lines may in fact not be Ivory at all ?

Just because there are crosss hatchings does not make it ivory as well.

Some are carved from "ivory nuts" which have these lines.

Sight alone dictates only first step.

I am sure since you seem to be somewhat involved with Ivory that you have the simple tools to positively I.D. with an age ?

The "ivory nuts" don't have Schreger lines. Here's one I carved.



I don't have any ID tools. I really haven't needed any. I only have mammoth and hippo, and I know the sources of both of them. I've never ran across any old ivory items for sale that I needed to ID. Ivory has turned into a bad word and I'm working less ivory now, not more. Too bad, it's a dandy medium. Gary

 

[ARC]

 

[ARC]

Simple good U.V. (Blacklight) will reveal a lot... from fake to real... to artificially aged.., etc,