Featured Carved Iv0ry basket

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by KSW, Oct 13, 2023.

  1. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    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….:facepalm: Yes, I know, slow as a racehorse on its holidays :rolleyes:
    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 :jawdrop:
    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 :)
    IMG_2553.jpeg IMG_2552.jpeg IMG_2551.jpeg IMG_2550.jpeg IMG_2549.jpeg IMG_2548.jpeg IMG_2547.jpeg IMG_2546.jpeg IMG_2545.jpeg IMG_2544.jpeg
     
  2. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    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.
     
    Boland, kyratango, stracci and 3 others like this.
  3. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

  4. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    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!!

    basket2.jpg
     
  5. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    OMG.....what an amazing and delicate thing!
     
    Boland, johnnycb09, KSW and 2 others like this.
  6. Sdcookie2

    Sdcookie2 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    Boland, Aquitaine, johnnycb09 and 4 others like this.
  7. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    All I know is I wouldn't have wanted to carve that. Whee!
     
    Boland, Aquitaine, johnnycb09 and 4 others like this.
  8. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  9. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    Boland, kyratango, stracci and 2 others like this.
  10. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    Guess what I’m going to be doing :rolleyes::hilarious:
     
    Boland, Aquitaine, johnnycb09 and 4 others like this.
  11. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    That’s astonishing.

    don’t tell me you found it at a car boot.
     
    Boland, johnnycb09, kyratango and 2 others like this.
  12. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

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

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Full of lovely enzymes!

    Bread too, although not on this.
     
    Bronwen, kyratango and KSW like this.
  14. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

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

    KSW Well-Known Member

    Really? I didn’t know that :eek:
     
    johnnycb09, Bronwen and stracci like this.
  16. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

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

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Incredible find!:woot:
    What a beauty!!!!
     
  18. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    Spit is a mild acid and readily available!
     
    johnnycb09, Bronwen and kyratango like this.
  19. Northern Lights Lodge

    Northern Lights Lodge Well-Known Member

    What a treasure! I would have LOVED to find that!
     
    johnnycb09, Bronwen and kyratango like this.
  20. kentworld

    kentworld Well-Known Member

    Why are we spelling iv0ry like this?
     
    Bronwen likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Carved Iv0ry
Forum Title Date
Antique Discussion Carved Iv0ry? Handle Mar 25, 2023
Antique Discussion Old? Carved wood nude lady with shawl sitting Oct 6, 2024
Antique Discussion Carved wooden candle holder Sep 18, 2024
Antique Discussion Wooden Carved Face Knife Sharpener Aug 31, 2024
Antique Discussion Hand Carved Bird Aug 19, 2024

Share This Page