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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: rustyattic on December 29, 2012, 09:42:26 PM

Title: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: rustyattic on December 29, 2012, 09:42:26 PM

(http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b486/matthewpoker851/th_100_6536.jpg) (http://s1288.photobucket.com/albums/b486/matthewpoker851/?action=view&current=100_6536.jpg)
(http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b486/matthewpoker851/th_100_6537.jpg) (http://s1288.photobucket.com/albums/b486/matthewpoker851/?action=view&current=100_6537.jpg)

I've been looking at seals online and the price range is wide.  What do you think these 2 seals are carved from?  What do you call the items in the lower right corner of each pic?  I know I've seen something like the object in the 2nd pic, but I can't think of the name!  I'll take the white figures to someone.  I don't know if they're bone, ivory, etc.

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: KC on December 30, 2012, 01:18:19 AM

Hard to say from your pics...but possibly soapstone...

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: mart on December 30, 2012, 09:58:26 AM

If you could take good close pics of 1 or two items and post them on this site,,not photobucket,, we might be able to tell !!

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: rustyattic on December 30, 2012, 03:02:25 PM

The tall one was in a green box.  I think the back says 1978 (It's possible the '7' is a '1' but really doubtful)  The taller one had part of a seal on it, it's visible when they are side ways.

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: mart on December 30, 2012, 04:34:53 PM

Where did you get them??

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: rustyattic on December 30, 2012, 05:15:41 PM

I got them from an old Asian guy in Chicago. 

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: KC on December 30, 2012, 09:07:34 PM

You typically find Asian chops/stamps/seals made out of marble...and these close up look like marble.  You can still buy these in import stores here in the US and in "china town".

If you ever find any of Shoushan Stone they are worth more and collectible.

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: JAT on December 31, 2012, 02:43:33 AM

Rustyattic,

My husband just may be able to help you out (tomorrow, or rather - later today... I didn't realize how late it was! - 2:45 a.m.!)  In either case I'll get back to you as soon as I can tomorrow.

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: mart on December 31, 2012, 09:08:46 AM

Excellent JAT !!  Looks like rough marble to me too !!

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: JAT on January 01, 2013, 11:27:32 AM

I agree with Mart... if you could post these pics on this site rather than photobucket it might help us identify these easier.

Quote from: mart on December 30, 2012, 09:58:26 AM

If you could take good close pics of 1 or two items and post them on this site,,not photobucket,, we might be able to tell !!

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: rustyattic on January 01, 2013, 02:58:16 PM

I didn't know we can upload to site.  Let me know if they should be bigger, no flash, ect.

If someone can let me know what these are called, that would help a lot.

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: kesgill on January 02, 2013, 03:41:14 PM

I think the word you are looking for is scarab: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarab_%28artifact%29.  They are from Egypt, and it looks like yours has known hieroglyphics on the inside, such as the vulture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulture_%28hieroglyph%29.  The markings are crisp, and it looks relatively new.  My guess would be that someone brought it back recently from a tourist shop.

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: KC on January 03, 2013, 02:52:20 PM

Totally agree kesgill!  Scarabs.  Very crudely done.  Artisans took time/care in the ancient days...here's an example to show you the difference:
(http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/D56095/an_egyptian_blue_heart_scarab_late_period_dynasty_xxvi-xxx_circa_664-5_d5609504h.jpg)
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/an-egyptian-blue-heart-scarab-late-period-5609504-details.aspx (http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/an-egyptian-blue-heart-scarab-late-period-5609504-details.aspx)
and here
http://ettuantiquities.com/scarabs_thumbnails_page-2.htm (http://ettuantiquities.com/scarabs_thumbnails_page-2.htm)

Title: Re: What are these carved out of? Asian stuff
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on January 04, 2013, 06:28:23 PM

Your scarab looks to be one sold to tourists, probably soapstone. My son bought a whole collection of them in all different sizes and materials from the Kahn el Kahlili bazaar in Cairo!