Fabulous antique pre to early Victorian era hand carved genuine ivory brooch, a striking piece with three dog figures in detailed bas relief, 2 standing and one lying down. You see this type of work in the collections at the British Museum, London, dating c.1830-50. We're working on some truly exquisite antique ivory pieces so be sure to browse all of our offerings this week (and the weeks to come). All truly exceptional, this one of Western European origins, likely German, and is in solid genuine ivory. The two dog figures set in deep relief against a foliate, possibly Alpine, background with attractive shaping to the sides. Shown and sold in an antique jewelry box, great for display and/or use. Full measurements noted on photos, but large brooch is 52mm wide, 2 1/8" wide.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. So delicately carved, the thread-slender legs of the dogs do show its only loss: front leg of each standing hound lost to time. No other damage to note, the ivory free of chips and/or cracks though you see the very finest natural hairlines, not in threat of further shrinkage at this stage/age. Contains African elephant ivory, purchased within the US.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.