Carving in ivory and horn - Illustrated guide for folk collections

Author: Xin Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Ivory and horn carving refers to the carved works made from animal teeth and horns. In the collecting world, it specifically denotes small carved items made from ivory and rhinoceros horn, combining both ornamental and practical qualities. Ivory is naturally beautiful, with a pure white and soft hue, and when carved into objects, it becomes exquisitely crafted, full of artistic charm. Rhinoceros horn is extremely valuable due to its rarity. The techniques and craftsmanship of ivory and horn carving are largely similar to those of bamboo and wood carving. Carved ivory objects include stationery, practical utensils, and more, with pen holders, armrests, rulers, pen stands, screens, ruyi (ornamental scepters), and figurines being particularly common. Horn-carved objects are primarily made into cups from whole horns due to shape limitations, as well as bowls, basins, wash basins, boxes, tripods, incense burners, vases, pen holders, flower baskets, (pot landscapes), rings, inlays, and sculptures of figures and animals for appreciation and display. In the collecting market, ivory and horn carvings are often grouped with bamboo and wood carvings and collectively referred to as bamboo-wood-ivory-horn artifacts. The ivory and horn carvings collected by ordinary folk featured in this book are presented for readers to appreciate.