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One Of A Kind Chinese Antique Hand Carved Wooly Mammoth Ivory Tusk Sculptures

When we see one of the hand carved woolly mammoth tusk sculptures created by Chinese artisans, one cannot help but be overwhelmed by the intricateness of the design and the incredible beauty of the sculpture. This same feeling would also apply when viewing any of the other amazingly intricate types of sculpture created by Chinese artisans. Such varying materials as soapstone, gold, and jade also come to mind when considering fine Chinese sculpture.

But many would agree that there are few sculptures as breathtaking and difficult to create as those made from woolly mammoth tusks. To begin with, an artisan is working with a piece of material that is already fragile by nature, ivory. Add to that the fact that the tusk is at least tens of thousands of years old being made from the tusk of an extinct creature, and it is clear that this is truly a difficult, painstaking, and ancient for of art. Ivory also has certain types of lines in it that were created when it was formed in the animal's mouth. These lines make it even more difficult to carve the material without causing breakage.

There are many sources for very beautiful ivory tusk carvings. Several pieces can be found on d- vers.com, where one can enter the search term "woolly mammoth," or simply click here to be directed to that page.

Ivoryandart.com also has a lovely collection of woolly mammoth tusk carving that are more contemporary, and tide-mammoth.com has a large collection of netsuke carvings as well as jewelry and small figurines.

Antique Kwan Yin Statues and Other Buddhist Antique Statuary

In Chinese art and sculpture, the theme of Buddha and bodhisattvas frequently recurs. A bodhisattva is an awakened person to whom the possibility of ultimate liberation in nirvana is possible. However, in the tradition of love and compassion first practiced by the Buddha, they have decided to continue to be reborn on Earth to help the rest of humanity along the path to enlightenment.

For centuries, Buddhists have created statues to represent the Buddha or the Boddhisattvas to aid people in devotion and mediation. Among the most popular Boddhisattvas is Kwan Yin. She is referred to as the Goddess of Mercy, and is associated with compassion.

Many of the Buddhist statues that one can find show the Buddha seated in a lotus posture with his hands raised in a gesture of blessing. The boddhisattvas are similarly represented in sculpture. Statues of the Buddha and of Kwan Yin are made of many materials, including gold, silver, soapstone, jadeite or crystal, and other natural materials.

Many practicing Buddhists find it helpful to focus on a statue of the Buddha while meditating. Offerings are also often placed before such statues. Neither the Buddha nor the bodhisattvas are worshiped as gods or goddesses. However, their statues provide a form of spiritual practice designed to generate humility and appreciation(1).

Buddhism is a spiritual practice, but is not a religion. If you choose to decorate your home with Buddhist statues, either as a form of spiritual practice or as simply an expression of your personal taste, it is entirely your own individual choice.

(1)http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48856.asp

Art Deco in the Spotlight

Art deco was a style made popular in the 1920s, as our culture looked ahead into the future, and people's tastes now demanded something different, something more modern, with clean lines and modern materials like metals and bakelite. The design style of Art Deco originated in Paris in the 1920s, and it remained popular into the World War II era. According to the wikipedia entry, the style of Art Deco influenced all forms of design, including architecture, interior design, industrial design, fashion and jewelry, and the visual arts such as graphic design and film. To get an idea of the vast diversity extant in Art Deco, please check out the following pages: http://d-vers.com/art-deco-c-166_167.html www.artdecoworld.com/newyork01.htm adsla.org/ www.decopix.com/ artdeco.org/

Traditional Sculpture in China - Facing An Uncertain Future

The people of China have a long history of creating beautiful works of art from many different materials. From rosewood, bronze, and metal, to rhinocerous and mammoth tusks, jade, and coral, many seemingly ordinary materials have been transformed into some of the most intricately detailed works of art available anywhere.

China, it would seem, is facing a tug of war of sorts, on many different fronts. Many of the young people of China are not interested in learning the traditional techniques of sculpture taught in the schools there. Some of them are interested in learning the craft, but are not interested in pursuing it as a profession.

In addition, many modern artists have been trying to pick up the pieces of what is left of the ancient and traditional culture of China, including the sculpture and religious beliefs. These artists are attempting to create a new generation of art based on the traditions of the past that remain in the present. According to a recent New York Times article, "Tang Yuhan, born in 1985, nearly a decade after Mao's passing marked the close of the Cultural Revolution, said that she and other young artists have started sifting through the centuries to transmute some aspects of classical culture into "art for the new generation."" This likely means that much of what collectors seek as traditional sculpture will be changing into something new. And as more of the traditional art is purchased for private collections, only the new types of sculpture will be available.

Some of the highly specific traditional sculpture crafts are dying out in a different way, such as the craft of Liaoqi. Liaoqi is a form of glass sculpture that requires a piece to be started and completed in one sitting, with no molds. In an article on the NTD television website, we are introduced to Xing Lanxiang and her family. She is one of only four masters of the craft of Liaoqi remaining in China today. Although Xing was able to pass the craft on to her sons, one of her sons is facing great difficulty in passing the craft down to his daughters.

Liu Yu said in the article, "My daughters are not that interested in Liaoqi making. They thought it's too tiring…From their point of view, Liaoqi making is only an interesting handicraft or one of their hobbies. They have never thought about taking it up as a lifelong career." This is a craft that could die out very soon if the four remaining masters face similar difficulties in passing the craft down to the next generation.

It is hoped that the traditional cultural treasure of Chinese hand carved sculpture, as well as Liaoqi and other similar crafts, are able to survive. Out of the great turmoil that was the Cultural Revolution, something new and amazing can be born. Only time will tell.

Articles reference:

New York Times Article

NTD Television Article

Art Deco Style Pieces Show Interest and Appeal

Art Deco style is one of the most interesting and appealing styles of the modern age. It was created before the mid-century modern and modern styles, and features bold lines and symmetrical shapes.

In most pieces created in the Art Deco period, as well as those created in the styles afterward, the symmetry, bold lines, and geometric shapes are apparent. All types of decoration were created in the Art Deco style, from desks and furnishings to lamps, vases, and other decorative arts.

Several beautiful pieces created in the Art Deco style are featured on d-vers.com.

One such example can be found at the following URL: Pair of glass vases. This is a beautiful set of hand blown glass vases, combining frosted and clear glass. The shapes on each side are reminiscent of those atop the Chrysler building in Manhattan, a building also created in the Art Deco style.

Another example can be found at this URL: Art Deco settee. This interesting and unique leather settee was made in France, and features symmetrical designs on the settee's back, which are duplicated in reverse on the bottom. This settee can be turned upside down for an identical settee, which is a very interesting concept for a settee.

As you can see, Art Deco is a very interesting and unique style which was a departure from many of the styles which preceded it. To many people, Art Deco was the definition of modern style at the time, and represented progress and a break from prior generations and styles.

For other interesting items, please visit our website at d-vers.com

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Georgian Burl Walnut Tripod Pedestal Table From England With Rare Burl Top

An extremely rare Georgian tripod pedestal table can be found by clicking here.  This table is of exceptional quality, and is all original.

The rarity of the table comes from its apparently solid burl walnut top.  On most, if not nearly all, pieces of antique burl walnut furniture available, the burl walnut portion is a veneer.  On this particular table, the burl walnut irregularities show through on the bottom.


A table such as this is unique, as the burl walnut (or a burl of any type of wood) is an extreme rarity.  Normally a burl is caused by a reaction of a tree to some sort of disease, insect, or other environmental condition, so it does not happen to many trees.

Add to that the fact that most burls are not very large at all, and you have in this piece of furniture a very rare find indeed. This table was made in the 19th Century in England.

For other rare and interesting pieces, please visit our website by clicking here.