Featured Painted Ivory Horses

My nemesis at a local shop incorrectly informed the staff that these are a pair of painted plastic horses and nothing valuable, so I snapped them up. Lovely quality and condition except for one repaired leg.

I can't find anything similar online so I thought I'd post here, I assume English/European late 19th century...?

Approx 7cm height

 

I have to agree with your nemesis that these don't look at all like they are made from ivory. Why do you think they are? Can you show some closeups? I don't see anything that looks like Schreger lines, though that could be the pictures.

 

I agree.

 

These are schreger lines that you will see on ivory. If your horses don't have these lines, they are not ivory.

 

The crosshatching is easy to see in person but I'm having real trouble picking it up on camera, seems to blend in very well with the paint lines.

 

Very difficult to see what these are made of from the photos, why do you think the material may be ivory?

 

Considering it is currently illegal to buy and sell ivory, your nemesis was probably hoping to score these him (her?) self.

 

Ok, well if they are ivory, you have a couple of very nice things ..not sure where or when though.

 

It is currently still legal to trade antique ivory in the UK, though that could change any day-the bill was set to be passed end of 2019

 

Those don't look antique to me, but I'm not an expert in the field.

 

Illegal? There is a federal ban on interstate sales,but there are only 10 states which ban in state sales.

 

I'm kinda seeing bone structure here....on the inner thigh....

 

Not particularly well executed, whatever they are made of, imo. The stance is quite awkward. I would assume Chinese, where there is a long tradition of carving horses in ivory, including mirror pairs.

https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/Set-of-six-Chinese-carved-ivory-and-ink-highlight_57D79468BA/

 

I agree that not old, not ivory and China likely.

Debora

 

They are Chinese circa 1920 to 1940, polychrome painted. I have delt in Chinese ivory for 30 years and have had many, unusual to find any paint still on them. Sold as tourists items.

 

I'd have to see better resolution images to convince me, JMHO! They're just not clear enough! BUT, I DO have a question.....TOP image, LEFT horse, in the neck where I've circled in red, is that a signature or just some scratches?? Inquiring minds are curious!

 

If you have handled a few thousand pieces ya kinda know what is what.

 

but just maybe , from some blurry pics, we all don't......so educate us !

 

That’s one hell of an eye you have if so!

 

I spotted it, but just not sure what it is......!