Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Hello...my son bought these two beautiful statues for me and I would like to know more about them. I don't know what they are made of, and there appears to be an artist's signature on them. They are each about 18" tall, without the stands. Can anyone help, please. I do have more photo's available. Thank you!

Are they heavy for their size? Stone?

My first reaction was a resin of some kind. If stone or other "natural" material, be very careful. The necks look very breakable.

Hello...thank you so much for your replies. They are heavy, each one weighing nearly 5 lbs. I did the "hot pin" test, and the pin did not penetrate at all. If they are resin is there a test to be sure? That is interesting about the Italy comment. It seems like I have seen Asian statues made in Italy before and it was surprising. I will attach more photo's since I have three more spaces to do so now. Am still curious about the possible artist signature? Thanks so much...

These are bone composite resin carvings--not real ivory. Probably 1960s or later. Interestingly enough these forms with elongated bodies and serpentine necks were sometimes made in Italy for the tourist market.

I've have a big statue of a man with a 5 birds. Looks very similar on my opinion. Very haavy 18" tall. No one marks given.
Will be happy to get any information.
Thanks in advance

I hope I am not being redundant because I thought I already replied but don't see it anywhere. Thank you for your replies! They each weigh close to 5 lbs. I will look into bone resin composition. That seems likely. Any information about the possible artist's signature? Thanks again...Melissa

Is not 'artist signature,' just 'Chinoiserie' marks like what on woman's gown edging.

Someone did make original figures from which factory made molds, but even if factory sold original models when went out of business would not have particular artistic value.

Good luck,
Cal

It is my belief that this is made from soapstone, hope that helps..

Thank you! I will pass along your information to my sister. I have given her the statues.

These types of figures were imported from Italy by Action Enterprises of Cheswick PA , dating from about 1960 on. Action is now closed and I don't know when they stopped importing. They are all resin based, lost wax molded, with a variety of interesting surface treatments.

Others were made in Italy for WONY. I don’t know who the Italian maker is in either case. I posted a mark on the forum on June 14, from similar figures which I believe are also of Italian origin, but have no response to date. I have a chess set in this style from Italy labeled 'Hand Carved' (which it is not).

Regards, Jim

Great information Jim, thank you! I gave the statues to my sister and will pass the information along to her.

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |