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Subject:Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Steve G. Mon, Jul 11, 2016 IP: 70.127.173.172
I was hoping I could get some insight behind this pair. I was told they were brought back to the US in the late 1800s from a family member while in the merchant marines.

Any opinions or insights on this pair?

What does the marking translate to?

I appreciate any help in advance
















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Subject:Re: Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Bokaba Tue, Jul 12, 2016
They appear to be ivory, but not 100% sure because I can't see the bottom well enough. Definitely not from the Qianlong Period (18th Century). It is a spurious mark. Thousands if not millions of these emperor/empress sets were made for the tourist trade principally in Hong Kong in the 1950s-1970s.

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Subject:Re: Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Steve Wed, Jul 13, 2016
I am aware of the tourist trade market ivory carvings, typically rather crude and poor carving. These however are finely carved and display nice age. The schreger lines are very apparent. I apologize for not including a closeup photo for you.

Can anyone translate the marking for me?

Thanks for the input thus far.

Subject:Re: Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Bokaba Thu, Jul 14, 2016
The mark says "Qianlong Nian Zhi," which I believe means made in the reign of Qianlong (1735-1796). These pieces are not from the 18th Century. Likely 1950s-1970s. The patina is artificially applied as was a common practice at the time. They are certainly nice pieces, but I disagree that they are finely carved. Perhaps better than many. I provided images of a similar pair that sold at auction in Spain recently. This pair may have been worth a couple of thousand at auction, but if you are located in the United States, ivory has plummeted in value as new state band and federal laws have made the sale of ivory illegal.







Subject:Re: Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Bokaba Thu, Jul 14, 2016
Here is a 19th Century ivory woman with very desirable patina that sold at auction a few years ago. Patina does not develop uniformly. It develops from being handled. You can see in this piece the patina has formed particularly where people have held the carving near the arms.



Subject:Re: Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Jim W Thu, Jul 14, 2016
The figures are Qianlong and and his Consort/Empress Ulanara seated respectively on dragon and phoenix thrones. The inscriptions are the reign mark, Qianlong Nian Zhi, Qianlong Period Make (1736 to 1795).

Subject:Re: Qinglong Dynasty? Ivory Emperor and Empress
Posted By: Steve G. Fri, Jul 15, 2016
I appreciate all of your input Bokaba.

Jim, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

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