|
Subject:Re: antique ivory sculpture
Posted By: Bill H Fri, Mar 28, 2014
I've collected a handful of similar Chinese ivories over the years and consider them probably to date from about the mid-Republic to the 1950's or somewhat later. The ivory carving is only average in its quality and detailing, while the custom stands are even rougher. This suggests to me that both were carved a generation or more apart from the times when Ivory was ranked among jade and rhino horn as one the most precious of substances.
This can be seen in both your figure of the goddess Guanyin and one of mine, where the carvers were machine-assisted. skipped the usual diadem of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in the hair, and connected the figure to a wood stand that provides no particular complement to the lotus pedestal carved in the ivory.
Such figures often can be found at estate sales in the $150-$200 range, though mine was a bit less because the bottom of the lotus pedestal had become separated. As is common, the carving was done in a couple of segments and glued together, which also could be the case with yours.
Best regards,
Bill H.
|
antique ivory sculpture 
( China & Japan ) - paul - Mar 22, 2014 (09:48 PM) 
