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Subject:Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jason Wed, Jun 15, 2016 IP: 73.38.45.56

I own this carved ivory jar with wooden base however I don't know anything about it. Any information you could share would be very much appreciated.
Thank you







Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Gman Thu, Jun 16, 2016

Since you are seeking information, any photos you could share of the "Ivory Vase" would be helpful.

So far, from the photo you posted 3 copies of, I am not even inclined to believe that the object is ivory.

What I see is too plain looking, like plastic, celluloid, or molded resin.

See the link below to know what is what, and if you are going to post some actual photos of the "Vase", be prepared to clearly show some schreger lines.

Hope this helps
Gman

URL Title :Ivory : Genuine, Fake, and Confusing


Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jim W Thu, Jun 16, 2016

It looks like a slightly jumbled Qianlong reign (1736 to 1795) mark. Why three identical photos instead of the jar and base?

Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jason Thu, Jun 16, 2016

More Pictures of item



Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jim W Fri, Jun 17, 2016

Based on the slightly out-of-focus image I think this is lost wax molded resin/composition.

Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jason Sat, Jun 18, 2016

I can confirm that the material is ivory. I am unable to upload high definition photos due to size limits on attachments.

Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jason Fri, Jun 17, 2016

Sorry for the photo confusion. I am having trouble uploading photos correctly from my phone. Here is another photo.



Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Bokaba Mon, Jun 20, 2016

The mark says "Qianlong." I cannot tell whether it is ivory or not. It is likely a tourist trade piece.

Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Jason Tue, Jun 21, 2016

I am uploading a couple more photos that show the cross hatching that I believe indicates the material is ivory.
If this was made for tourist trade would it still be made from ivory? Also would it have any value?







Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: Gman Wed, Jun 22, 2016

I'm not so sure I would call this a vase, more like an urn, but OK, the last photo posted (shown 3 times) of the bottom side of the top I presume, do show the signs of being ivory. That is a good because not only does it show the schreger lines, but the thickness we can see in the photo appears substantial, like no one was scrimping on the design of the lid to save ivory.

Remember that no one here, nor any expert you may contact elsewhere will be able to do much without seeing closeup (in focus) photos of every aspect of the piece.

What does the inside look like?
Are the carvings all ivory?
Are the rings also ivory?
What does the underside of the bottom piece look like, does it have marks?
What is the wood the base is made of and does it have marks? (get some light on it and try to show the grain and color of the wood)

Did you clean this piece?

So far, with the one clear photo showing the schreger lines, you have proven that the underside of the top is ivory, but that does not mean any parts of the top piece not shown in that photo are ivory.

It looks as though the bottom piece, if it is also ivory, is made up of multiple pieces which are joined together. From the only photo showing the top side of the top, it appears that it too may be pieced together, rather than carved from a single piece.

Since the top and its bottom appear to be made of perhaps 12 or more pieces joined together, it would be good to start proving each piece is ivory.

So it would be helpful for others, and educational for you since you own it, to look closely and figure out how many pieces there are, and verify that each of the separate pieces are ivory. The way the piece is constructed could mean a lot when it comes to figuring out the age.

From there you would want three different (in focus) photos of each of those pieces. It may seem like I am asking a lot, but the photos you have posted so far are not showing any details of the carvings, I can't even tell what the carvings on the top are. Be careful not to post the same photo repeatedly.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Gman

Subject:Re: Help identifying carved ivory jar please
Posted By: bokaba Wed, Jun 22, 2016

It appears to be elephant ivory then. It is an incense burner with contemporary and archaic elements. The quality of the carving is not great. I would be inclined to believe it is from the second half of the 20th Century if not the third quarter. Keep it well. The sale of ivory is now heavily restricted.


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