Antique Ivory is quite a prized collectible. You can find all types of amazing treasures throughout the world. Searching on the Internet or going to museums, you can see many pieces in all shapes and sizes. Below are some photos and descriptions of antique and vintage ivory pieces.
If you would like help determining whether your pieces are ivory or plastic we can help. We can also help you establish antique and vintage ivory value.
Humans have been carving ivory for centuries, dating back to prehistoric times. Many people from many countries have carved ivory for a variety of reasons. Some were carved for religious purposes, some guarded the dead as they entered their next life, others were crafted as jewelry or personal ornamentation, some ivory became useful items and yet others were carved as enhancements for the home.
Antique Ivory Triptych This is a rare 19th Century finely carved antique European Ivory Triptych. This amazing piece has fabulous workmanship. You can see facial expressions, hair curls, clothing details, and more. This has lots of detailed figures and is unbelievably three dimensional. It is an example of religious iconography.
Ivory is found in so many diverse forms and from so many different countries that many people collect it. There are pieces that can be found for any budget from small brooches to large carved elephant tusks. Due to the vast amount of these antique treasures available, a collector can spend a lifetime learning about and acquiring special pieces.
Antique Ivory Emperor and Empress This is a pair of hand carved ivory figures in the form of a Chinese Emperor and Empress. Each antique carving has incredible detail and was created by a skilled artist over one hundred years ago. They are tall and majestic.
Very early carvings have been found dating back to the Stone Age about 20,000 years ago. Carved ivory has also been found in ancient tombs in Egypt and China dating back to 3000 BC. The Romans, as far back as 500 AD made many religious items of carved ivory including fine boxes, elaborate ivory panels and religious items. Remarkable ivory triptychs have been found from the Byzantine Era. Ivory carvings were very popular in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Japan is famous for its small netsuke carvings. Netsukes were used when men wore kimonos and had no pockets. They were used as a toggle attached to a cord to hold small boxes for tobacco & other personal items.
Elephant ivory is the largest source of ivory found. It is the largest both in actual size and quantity. Sperm whale teeth were used by the Inuit (Eskimo) tribes and by sailors who hunted whales. Many sperm whale teeth were carved by sailors to pass idle hours when out at sea. They would incise intricate scenes on the teeth. This type of ivory work is called scrimshaw. Walrus tusks are another source of ivory found in antique carvings. Some were carved into game boards, talismans, jewelry, hairpins and more.
Antique Japanese Ivory Chess Set This is a very ornate Japanese antique ivory chess set. Chess was a very popular game in many countries so there was a good market for selling these game pieces to travelers. The men are all unique hand carved pieces.
Antique Ivory Netsuke Monkey This is an antique netsuke made from ivory and artist signed. It is in the form of a monkey. Netsukes were used by the Japanese as a toggle to keep their inro (box) attached to their obi (belt).
Antique Walrus Tusks Ivory These are antique walrus tusks on a wooden frame. They are very old and quite large. They are a fine example of natural history.
Antique Carved Village Ivory This is a carved village inside of a small hand carved banana. This piece has very fine details. It's polychrome ivory. There's a small bug on the realistic looking banana peal. This amazing antique piece is artist signed. It is a style favored by many.
Ivory Antique Figural Snuff Box This is an unusual antique ivory figural snuff box. It was obviously made by a master craftsman as is evidenced by the quality of the carving.
Very early carvings have been found dating back to the Stone Age about 20,000 years ago. Carved ivory has also been found in ancient tombs in Egypt and China dating back to 3000 BC. The Romans, as far back as 500 AD made many religious items of carved ivory including fine boxes, elaborate ivory panels and religious items. Remarkable ivory triptychs have been found from the Byzantine Era. Ivory carvings were very popular in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Japan is famous for its small netsuke carvings. Netsukes were used when men wore kimonos and had no pockets. They were used as a toggle attached to a cord to hold small boxes for tobacco & other personal items.
Elephant ivory is the largest source of ivory found. It is the largest both in actual size and quantity. Sperm whale teeth were used by the Inuit (Eskimo) tribes and by sailors who hunted whales. Many sperm whale teeth were carved by sailors to pass idle hours when out at sea. They would incise intricate scenes on the teeth. This type of ivory work is called scrimshaw. Walrus tusks are another source of ivory found in antique carvings. Some were carved into game boards, talismans, jewelry, hairpins and more.
