How do I clean an ivory carving?

Dust gently with a soft, dry brush, avoiding water or chemical cleaning agents entirely. Moisture causes organic materials to warp, swell, and split over time. Keep the piece away from direct sunlight and radiators to prevent drying and cracking. Stable indoor humidity protects the structural integrity of the material.

Are these pieces made from elephant ivory?

Historical items frequently utilise elephant ivory, though alternative organic materials like corozo nut, bone, and whalebone also appear in period pieces. Each material possesses distinct grain patterns and weight. Examination under magnification helps distinguish true ivory from vegetable ivory or bone by revealing Schreger lines. These natural cross-hatchings are unique to elephant tusks.

How do I date an antique carving?

Dating relies upon stylistic markers, mounting techniques, and the tool marks left by the carver. Pieces often reflect the prevailing aesthetic of their period, such as Meiji-era Japanese design or Georgian neoclassical motifs. Compare the patina and wear patterns with documented examples from similar workshops. Wear should align naturally with the handling the object received over centuries.

What is a chryselephantine sculpture?

A chryselephantine sculpture combines carved ivory flesh with a metal or wooden body, often finished in patinated bronze and enamel. This technique achieved great popularity in European sculpture around the early twentieth century. Artists utilised the warm tone of the ivory to represent skin tones against dark metallic garments. These works require careful handling due to the differing expansion rates of metal and organic material.

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Antique Ivory Carving

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An antique ivory carving brings organic warmth and intricate detail into a room, offering small-scale sculpture, Netsuke, and portrait plaques from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Large Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Pot Pourri Vase

1900 - 1920

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Large Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Pot Pourri Vase

From David Wolfenden Antiques

£1,650

3+ MONTHS AGO

vases

18th century

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18th Century Carved Indian 'Orissa' Double Erotic Kama Sutra Panel

From Original Retro

£1,250

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

Art Deco Chryselephantine Sculpture Entitled "Grecian Maidens " by Ferdinand Preiss

1900 - 1920

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Art Deco Chryselephantine Sculpture Entitled "Grecian Maidens " by Ferdinand Preiss

From Hickmet Fine Arts

£13,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

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Antique Ivory Carving

Large Royal Worcester Blush Ivory Pot Pourri Vase

18th Century Carved Indian 'Orissa' Double Erotic Kama Sutra Panel

Art Deco Chryselephantine Sculpture Entitled "Grecian Maidens " by Ferdinand Preiss

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