Chinese Walrus Ivory Dragon Carving Chasing Pearl, Openwork Tusk Sculpture

East Asia, China. A winged dragon coils up the length of a walrus tusk. Its scaled body twists so the membranous wings sweep back toward the tapering point, and its whiskered head thrusts forward beneath a pair of swept horns. The carver followed the natural curve of the tusk, opening the spaces between the limbs, claws, and serpentine tail so the creature appears to climb free of the material. The eyes are inset with amber, and a polished amber sphere is held in the foreclaws. It represents the flaming pearl of wisdom that the Chinese dragon pursues across textiles, porcelain, and jade. The Chinese dragon, lung, is a benevolent creature of water, rain, and imperial authority, assembled in classical descriptions from the parts of nine animals: camel's head, deer's horns, hare's eyes, ox's ears, snake's neck, carp's scales, eagle's claws, tiger's paws, and a clam's belly. The pearl it chases or grasps, often shown wreathed in flame, is variously read as the moon, thunder, wisdom, or the spiritual essence the dragon guards. The winged, bat-like membranes seen here are a modern flourish rather than a classical feature; traditional Chinese dragons fly without wings, and the treatment reflects the 20th-century workshop appetite for Western dragon imagery in export carving. Walrus ivory has long been prized by carvers for its dense, slightly mottled dentine and the marbled secondary core revealed in cross-section. It works to a finer detail than most bone and takes a soft, waxy polish, qualities exploited here in the scale-by-scale modeling of the flank and the fretted openwork of the tail. This item is made of or contains walrus ivory 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. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. Item # 205189

Estimation:€1,429.47

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