Featured Carved Iv0ry basket

So I thought this was a celluloid vanity type thingy but looking at the base it just dawned on me that those lines aren’t straight and it’s Iv0ry…. Yes, I know, slow as a racehorse on its holidays
Sadly damaged in places, missing a top and some of the base but I can’t quite believe how fine the workmanship is - those lines
Is there a name for this type of work? Presumably Chinese?
The big question is how do I clean it? It is filthy and laughing in the face of my cotton bud and warm water. I don’t know if the obvious glue is original and if it will just disintegrate into pieces if I get it wet? I’d like to use dish soap and a baby toothbrush but that would require rinsing thoroughly afterwards.
Any thoughts please

 

I think that's incredible, and the damage is to be expected. One of the draws of ivory is that it can be carved that minutely. I would be concerned with not getting it any dirtier, but beyond that leave it alone.

 

Looks almost identical to this one.

https://drouot.com/en/l/15465556--china-canton-cesta-cubierta-d

Debora

 

Debora's.....and I can't even imagine.....thinking about the work in it!!! EITHER one, for that matter!!!! Personally, I think I like @KSW's better as the work is better defined, or maybe just larger!!

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OMG.....what an amazing and delicate thing!

 

Lots of hours with a damp microfiber cloth and q tips. Then go over it with q tips and light baby oil to reintroduce some moisture. No need to over clean. I have handled over 100 pieces of ivory and this technique has worked for me.

 

All I know is I wouldn't have wanted to carve that. Whee!

 

I would agree with the cleaning suggestions, but perhaps skip the baby oil. With all the fine recesses it may leave a residue that attracts and holds more dust.

 

Well found @Debora ! Thankyou. That is so similar and gives me a fair idea of what the missing top should look like.

All good points MOS. It does look in a fairly similar condition to the one in Debora’s link.

 

Guess what I’m going to be doing

 

That’s astonishing.

don’t tell me you found it at a car boot.

 

Then there's that museum curators' favorite cleaning agent: spit.

 

Full of lovely enzymes!

Bread too, although not on this.

 

Isn’t it just! I was quite shocked when I started studying it and realised what it was.

 

Really? I didn’t know that

 

Gorgeous Canton iv0ry, 19th century. Probably shaped after a wedding basket.

 

Incredible find!
What a beauty!!!!

 

Spit is a mild acid and readily available!

 

What a treasure! I would have LOVED to find that!

 

Why are we spelling iv0ry like this?