Two Mammoth Ivory Okimono, Sleeping Man and Figure with Fish
East Asia, China / Japan, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A pair of okimono figures carved from mammoth ivory. The first depicts a seated figure with hair dressed in twin buns, cradling a large fish. The second portrays a sleeping man, his bearded head bowed deeply into the drapery of his voluminous robes, carved with beautiful realism that captures the quiet weight of slumber. Both display the rich honey and cream tones and dense natural craquelure characteristic of mammoth ivory, and each is inscribed on the base with characters. Size of Sleeping Man: 3.5" H x 3" W x 2.125" D (8.9 cm H x 7.6 cm W x 5.4 cm D).
Mammoth ivory, recovered from Pleistocene permafrost deposits in Siberia and Alaska, became a favored substitute for elephant ivory among 20th-century carvers. It is distinguishable by its cross-hatched surface craquelure and mineral staining, both visible here.
Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection by family descent; ex-James Gordon and Hazel Gordon Kaufman by descent from their father, Alexander Gerber, a New York industrialist active in the last quarter of the 20th century. New York, New York, USA.
This item is made of or contains Mammoth and qualifies for exemption under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as an antique. Due to strict federal and state regulations governing the sale and transport of ivory, this item may not be shipped internationally or to residents of the following U.S. jurisdictions: CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA.
Buyers are solely responsible for ensuring that their purchase complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding the acquisition, possession, resale, or transfer of ivory. While we guarantee that this item meets the criteria for ESA exemption under federal law, we strongly recommend that prospective buyers consult with local authorities to verify legal eligibility in their jurisdiction.
This lot cannot be shipped to CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA or outside the United States.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #204205
Condition
Natural age related striations and patina to both. Loss to the left side of base and right bun on the fish figure. Sleeping man has old abrasions, but it intact.
East Asia, China / Japan, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A pair of okimono figures carved from mammoth ivory. The first depicts a seated figure with hair dressed in twin buns, cradling a large fish. The second portrays a sleeping man, his bearded head bowed deeply into the drapery of his voluminous robes, carved with beautiful realism that captures the quiet weight of slumber. Both display the rich honey and cream tones and dense natural craquelure characteristic of mammoth ivory, and each is inscribed on the base with characters. Size of Sleeping Man: 3.5" H x 3" W x 2.125" D (8.9 cm H x 7.6 cm W x 5.4 cm D).
Mammoth ivory, recovered from Pleistocene permafrost deposits in Siberia and Alaska, became a favored substitute for elephant ivory among 20th-century carvers. It is distinguishable by its cross-hatched surface craquelure and mineral staining, both visible here.
Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection by family descent; ex-James Gordon and Hazel Gordon Kaufman by descent from their father, Alexander Gerber, a New York industrialist active in the last quarter of the 20th century. New York, New York, USA.
This item is made of or contains Mammoth and qualifies for exemption under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as an antique. Due to strict federal and state regulations governing the sale and transport of ivory, this item may not be shipped internationally or to residents of the following U.S. jurisdictions: CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA.
Buyers are solely responsible for ensuring that their purchase complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding the acquisition, possession, resale, or transfer of ivory. While we guarantee that this item meets the criteria for ESA exemption under federal law, we strongly recommend that prospective buyers consult with local authorities to verify legal eligibility in their jurisdiction.
This lot cannot be shipped to CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA or outside the United States.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #204205
Condition
Natural age related striations and patina to both. Loss to the left side of base and right bun on the fish figure. Sleeping man has old abrasions, but it intact.
