Featured Carved Ivory salt & pepper shakers

I think these are ivory, when banged together, they almost sound like ceramic but not, you can see the tool carving outlines with an eye loupe. The man I got them from was disabled and had no idea about these.
I have never seen something like this with smiling faces, anyone have any ideas about these ?

Thank You

 

whale's tooth?
http://www.maritiques.com/detail.asp?id=9699

 

I think whale tooth is a good guess.

 

https://m.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Alas...715537?hash=item239c096051:g:3mYAAOSwXkNaem4o
Could be Lucky Billiken, or a copy. Maybe some one else knows. This one is Alaskan Eskimo. ( yours may not be Alaskan, I don’t know) It’s based on a Good luck figure, some are made from whale bone or jaw.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billiken

 

If they are Ivory - make sure they are pre-ban - buying and selling post ban Ivory might get you in trouble!

 

Sorry, I didn’t see all that info in your link, it was really small. Didn’t mean to repeat .

 

Yup, they are whale tooth..

 

Agree with Hunting - Bilikens

 

QuincyAK10 nailed it, I just didn’t see it, until I read it the second time.
Hopefully, it will bring us all Billy’s luck in finding things!

 

Only in your mind !

They're also on the large size for Bilikens....and nicely carved..

 

but.....Billy , what does being disabled have to do with the guys knowledge , or lack thereof...of these ivory carvings... ?

 

Oh, I didn't click the link. Thanks.
However, I still agree - They are Bilikens

 

This is my own Billiken......about 3" tall.

 

He was mentally disabled but not sure how he was part of the park wide sales. He couldn't give clear answers.

 

The description says the ebay one is made of resin..............if you scroll down.....

 

I’d rather not “guess “what someone’s things are made of. (I was more trying to explain the idol aspect of the piece.) sorry if I wasn’t clear.

 

OK....I understand now !

 

that's a good sized one also....

 

Mine - 4¼" tall:



~Cheryl

 

A tower of power !!!!!