Very rare ivory statue... opinions needed.

13 years ago

My Papa has this ivory Buddha icon/statue thing that he's had for years. It was passed down to him by generations, and is probably about a hundred years old. it's about three and a half inches tall, and one and a half to two inches wide. It's EXTREMELY detailed, and I can't find anything else like it ANYWHERE. About how much would this sell for (because we really need the money)?

Here are some pictures of the item:

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae258/xxkelserxx/DSCN3124.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae258/xxkelserxx/DSCN3122.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae258/xxkelserxx/DSCN3120.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae258/xxkelserxx/DSCN3118.jpg

It opens up like a little box, and every inch of it is covered in intricate designs. Not only that, but there's a really small stone in the Buddha's forehead, of what kind though I'm unsure. If you look at it under a microscope, it appears that there's actually two small stones side by side.

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Comments (7)

User
13 years ago
Oh WOW ... that is beautiful. I have no clue what it might sell for, but it is called a "traveling shrine" or a "pocket shrine" (although kimonos have no pockets). They were tucked into the sash for carrying.

Similar to these:
http://www.buddhas-online.com/ivoryshrine.html

Take your time on this one ... eBay is NOT the place to sell it. I would start with some top-notch auction houses or galleries that specialize in netsuke and other Japanese art.
User
13 years ago
It is called a "zushi"

http://www.robynbuntin.com/ItemDetail.asp?ProductID=7439
http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/archive/1115/0998_1_lg.jpg

A dealer will offer less than retail, but IF it is really ivory, zushis are selling for $500 to $5,000 (wide range depending on all kinds of factors)
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cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
13 years ago
Ebay will not sell ivory as of last year (unless they changed the rules again).

If you want to sell it, be sure you know the most current law. There are different rules for African and Asian ivory. In the past, Asian ivory imported before 1976 was legal to own, but illegal to sell. No idea why. You also need to be able to prove provenance. We have several Asian pieces that I inherited from my parents and I decided it was just easier to keep them. Good thing I like them!
jen2006
13 years ago
Wow, this is so beautiful. I wish I could buy it from you. If you live near a major city or know a reputable dealer of asian items, that would be the place to go to have it appraised. Sometimes we are surprised that something is not worth what we think, or vice versa! Good luck, I would keep it if I were you, unless it is worth a lot of money and that money will really help you. If you are just looking for bill money, or it is only worth a lesser amount, I would try to keep it.
tablefun
13 years ago
Try ebay and let buyer bid for it.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
13 years ago
Okay, I went to ebay just to check. Ivory is on the "NOT ALLOWED" list.

Here is a link that might be useful: ivory not allowed
lindac
13 years ago
To sell anything made from ivory in the US I think you have to somehow be able to prove it was made before a certain date. I have no doubt that your piece is early enough, but how to "prove" it?
Besides that is a much too unusual piece to find a buyer on eBay.
Try looking for sites that deal in Asian antiques....REAL Asian antiques.
Linda C