jennylynng
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posted on October 6, 2004 12:55:49 PM new
I sure could use some help with this little guy. He's just under 1-1/2" tall. My client told me he's from the 1880's and is made of ivory. Is there some way to confirm any of that? Also, I'm not sure how to describe him - "sitting, resting, holding water gourd"? Thanks if you can help. Also, she says that's a signature on the bottom. Thanks again! Jenny
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niel35
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posted on October 6, 2004 01:04:29 PM new
how about a picture, Jenny??
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on October 6, 2004 01:14:35 PM new
Do you have a photo you can post?
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jennylynng
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posted on October 6, 2004 01:23:48 PM new
Yeah, well, I did it again. Forgot to post the pics!!! Okay, sorry, here they are -
[img]http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/je/jennylynng/net3.jpg]/img]
Thanks again! Jenny
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epoweryourlife
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posted on October 6, 2004 01:52:58 PM new
{img}http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/ep/epoweryourlife/034.jpg{/img}
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neglus
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posted on October 6, 2004 01:54:20 PM new
I'm not at all en expert but my mother has a rather extensive netsuke collection...does your figure have two little holes in the back that a string could be drawn through?
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Sig files are too much trouble!
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards
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jennylynng
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posted on October 6, 2004 01:58:01 PM new
Yes, he does. That's the pic that didn't work. Let's try again
Thanks!
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on October 6, 2004 02:15:40 PM new
There are different kinds of ivory with elephant being the best. Sorry but this doesn't look like elephant ivory to me. But it is hard to say from a photo unless you can get a close up of the cross hatching. By that I mean you should be able to see cross hatching (much like a grilled steak) at some point on the ivory.
I guess it could be Walrus ivory or something of that nature. Unfortunately they use that for new netsuke.
neglus can probably confirm this better than I can.
There is a good jewelry book to explain ivory and the different grade - I'll try to find my copy and post the name so you can check it out at the library or something.
Good luck
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stopwhining
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posted on October 6, 2004 03:05:49 PM new
you can try the hot needle test and find out if it were elephant ivory,mammoth ivory or hippo ivory??
Netsukes can also be carved from bone and stained with tea to look old.
it does look like an older piece and it is signed on the bottom with 2 holes,see if the dirt is really from age or just added on to make it look old.
-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
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buyhigh
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posted on October 6, 2004 04:43:55 PM new
Look for darker lines running straight across the ivory to insure that it is made from elephant tusk. I used to have a fairly large collection way back when and they were carved in Japan. (Still have one of them) In the late 1970s, The Chinese in HongKong got into the act and began carving them and copying the signatures. They can easily be aged using tea. Generally the Japanese ones have much better detail and are more carefully carved. The Hongkong ones range from very good to poor - depending in the time spent and the price asked. They also made a lot of them from crushed bone and resin making them in a mold and then adding the finishing touches by hand.
buyhigh
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jennylynng
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posted on October 6, 2004 05:56:05 PM new
Okay, so I don't know the hot needle test. I'm a complete igmo (as in ignoramus) when it comes to this stuff. Can you tell me how to do it? Thanks for your help! Jenny
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stopwhining
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posted on October 6, 2004 06:55:32 PM new
Ivory
Hot needle test will produce no odor. Hard to penetrate. May leave a brown residue in the immediate burned area.
Very fine grain, almost tooth-like.
Color can be white to deep cream.
Takes a very high polish, usually very fine workmanship almost like a waxy luster.
With a sharp knife one CANNOT scrape off a fine powder as on bone.
Very old ivory buttons may require a curved needle to be sewed on.
CANNOT be softened enough to mold.
Cracking may be caused by heat and humidity.
Will look white under a black light. Works best if done in a dark area. (Black light is ultraviolet light. Avoid looking at the light directly.)
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-sig file -------Life is one big happy 'All You Can Eat' buffet .
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