Antique Ivory 18th-early 19th C Qing Dynasty Chinese Rare Carved Tusk

Antique Ivory tusk carving with Buddha and lohans.

Acquired from estate at auction.

• Appraisal description: Measurements: L 17.5 inches x D 3 inches. Description: This is a very rare and very fine carving, executed in low and high relief, incised, pierced, and painted fashion, of subdued black, green and red color. Within a shaped panel, the carving depicts the eighteen lohans with their respective and identifiable attributes and in various settings, on a ground of clouds, decorative rocks, pine trees, together with tiger, dragon, elephant, deer, mythological lion, lingxi or sacred mushroom and a number of longevity symbols. --Lohans or arhats (in Sanskrit) are said to be the personal disciple of Buddha. Sixteen are Hindu and two have been added by the Chinese. They are often portrayed in paintings and sometimes on ceramics. The lohans of this carving are clearly distinguishable and include: Pindola, with a book on his knee and a staff at his side, Nandimitra with an alms bowl, Kalika with very long eyebrows, Gobaka holding a fan, Panthaka reading a scroll, Asita, nursing (clasping) his right knee and Polotoshe with his tiger. --The ends of the tusks show age-related fissures. The carving is in fine condition and has acquired a fine patina. The carving appears to date from the 18th or early 19th Century of China's Qing Dynasty. The appraiser has seen a similar carving in the Museum of American China Trade in Massachusetts. Such carvings were made as early export items for Europe and the United States. The rarity of finding anything similar in today's market, the superb quality of the carving, subject matter, attention to detail, age and condition were taken into account. 2001 appraisal value of $8,800 by Elisabeth Weikert Douglas, The China Coast, Austin, TX. J.D. Univ. of Vienna, Austria; ASA; ISA certification in the field of Asian Art.  Appraisal is a copy of original only and for descriptive purposes only. 

• Sits on wooden base
• Additional zoom photos available
• All antique ivory exported outside the U.S. will comply with Dept. of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service export licensure and CITES permit for export of antique specimens. Purchaser shall pay licensing and permit fees, U.S. Customs export clearance fees, and international shipping fees. Processing applications will take a minimum of 60 days. Final shipping direct from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to purchaser.