Ivory Carvings - VASES with LONG TAIL TORTOISES - PAIR Auction Estimate = $ 9,000 Stunning! 20" - 8+ Pounds Start Price USD 9,000.00 Current Price USD 9,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, July 16, 2008 End Time Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Location Las Vegas, NV See more about 'Ivory Carvings - VASES with LONG TAIL TORTOISES - PAIR' Description Thank you very much for considering these beautiful works of art.  We are now retired and must part with a collection of over 100 ivory carvings we have loved and taken care of for nearly 40 years.  We are very proud to offer only the very FINEST in QUALITY ivory carvings. These carvings are 100% genuine ELEPHANT IVORY and in EXCELLENT CONDITION.  They were HAND CARVED and HAND SCRIMSHAWED and SIGNED in China by a gifted master craftsman in the early 1900s.  They have a lovely patina that nature has chosen to bestow upon them. These carvings are UNIQUE and exhibit beautiful IVORY GRAIN which is guaranteed to be clearly visible.  The ivory has been highly polished and exquisitely detailed.  The quality of the ivory, the quality of the carving and the quality of the scrimshaw work are all exceptional. These carvings were legally imported into the USA. These carvings can only be shipped to locations within the USA. In January of 2006 Columbus (the experts in Asian art) provided an auction estimate on these pieces of $9,000.  Auction estimates are conservative and typically well below appraised values.   2 VASES – Long Tailed Tortoises - MATCHED PAIR  This pair of ivory vases is profusely covered with dragons that are chasing the flaming pearl of knowledge and phoenixes.  Each is supported by a mythical long tailed tortoise – the symbol of long life.  They are monumental in both size and detail. The tortoise (turtle) is sacred to China as a symbol of longevity, strength and endurance. It symbolizes the universe as well, with its dome shaped back being the vault of the sky, its belly the earth, which moves upon the waters, and its fabulous longevity leads from the belief that it cannot perish. One vase has a young man at the top flanked by two female attendants.  He is busily writing away. The other vase has a young lady at the top flanked by two female attendants.  She is enjoying some refreshments served to her by the attendants. The artist has chosen to highlight each of these vases with detailed carvings of dragons chasing the flaming pearl of knowledge. The dragon is the symbol of luck, wealth, good fortune and wisdom.  The dragon represents male vigor and fertility and is also the imperial emblem of the Emperor.  The dragon and phoenix are the symbols for husband and wife and emperor and empress.  The dragon ranks first amongst the 4 supernatural creatures. The sides of each piece are decorated with Foo Dog handles with free floating rings.  The Foo Dog is the symbol of good fortune, luck and wisdom and is placed at the entrance of a home, temple, palace or other building to guard the occupants from evil and harmful spirits.   The Foo Dog is the emblem of valor and energy – the indispensable compliments of wisdom. Each of these vases has elaborate carvings immediately above each long tailed tortoise from which additional free floating rings are hanging. The artist has further decorated each of these gorgeous pieces with phoenixes. The phoenix is the emblem of the Empress.  It only appears during times of peace and prosperity.  A train of small birds is always in attendance when the phoenix flies.  The phoenix represents the 5 Human Qualities – Virtue, Duty, Correct Behavior, Humanity and Reliability.  It also represents sun and warmth for the summer harvest and symbolizes peace, beauty and good fortune.  It ranks second of the 4 supernatural creatures. Each of these vases contains 6 separate scenes which are immediately above the long tailed tortoises – lots and lots of wonderful detail. Each of these pieces is engraved Long zhi on the underside. The artist has done a superb job of carving and highlighting these beautiful vases. They both have a lovely patina that comes only with age. They are indeed monumental!  The ivory alone weighs over 8 pounds and each stands a magnificent 20" tall.   Each comes with its own custom made and fitted wire inlaid rosewood stand. This is a marvelous set of vases which will beautify any home or office and should steadily increase in value over the  years.  Dimensions (Each): 20.00" x 9.00" x 3.50" Weight (Total):  8 Pounds, 1 ounce Signature:  Engraved – Long zhi   We will ship to you via USPS Priority Insured Mail. We accept Checks, Money Orders and PayPal PLEASE VISIT MY EBAY STORE TO SEE MANY MORE BEAUTIFUL IVORY CARVINGS Powered by eBay Turbo Lister The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!