A whalebone ivory mounted coconut shell dipper, second half…
click the photo to enlarge
A whalebone ivory mounted coconut shell dipper, second half 19th century, 32.5 cm long. Note: For similar examples see: The Barbara Johnson Whaling Collection: Part 1, Sotheby's New York, December 1981, lot 418

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Ivory - Ivory is a hard white material that comes from the tusks of elephants, mammoth, walrus and boar, or from the teeth of hippopotamus and whales. The ivory from the African elephant is the most prized source of ivory. Although the mammoth is extinct, tusks are still being unearthed in Russia and offered for sale.

    Ivory has been used since the earliest times as a material for sculpture of small items, both in Europe and the east, principally China and Japan.

    In Asia ivory has been carved for netsuke, seals, okimono, card cases, fan supports, animals and other figures and even as carved tusks.

    In the last 200 years in Europe ivory has been used to carve figures, for elaborate tankards, snuff boxes, cane handles, embroidery and sewing accessories, in jewellery and as inlay on furniture. Its more practical uses include being used for billiard balls, buttons, and a veneers on the top of piano keys.

    The use and trade of elephant ivory have become controversial because they have contributed to Due to the decline in elephant populations because of the trade in ivory, the Asian elephant was placed on Appendix One of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in 1975, and in January 1990, the African elephant was similarly listed. Under Appendix One, international trade in Asian or African elephant ivory between member countries is forbidden. Unlike trade in elephant tusks, trade in mammoth tusks is legal.

    Since the invention of plastics, there have been many attempts to create an artificial ivory

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A Tahitian pearl brooch, the round pearl of green grey hues measuring 10.7 mm mounted on a stylised ribbon pave set with diamonds, in 18ct white gold

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Tiffany & Co early 20th century sterling silver cheese scoop, weight 60 g

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Art Deco Norwegian silver cufflinks, with engine turned decoration and hinged wing back fittings. marked 830s Hit approx 60g

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A George III silver caddy spoon, fiddle form; Jjc, London, 1795. Weight 14.3g.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.