Ivory is a hard, white material obtained from the tusks of elephants, walruses, narwhals, and other animals. It has been prized for centuries for its beauty, durability, and rarity, and has been used extensively in decorative arts in Western and Oriental cultures from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
In Western cultures during the 18th to 20th centuries, ivory continued to be a popular material for creating decorative objects. A few examples of ivory objects from Western cultures during this time period include:
• toiletry necessaire: A set of toiletry items made of ivory, late 19th century.
• ivory chess set: A set of intricately carved ivory chess pieces, created in the 18th century.
• ivory cane: A walking cane with an ivory handle, often carved with intricate designs or figurines.
In Oriental cultures, ivory continued to be used for decorative arts during the 18th to 20th
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centuries. Just a few examples of ivory objects from Oriental cultures during this time period include:
• Japanese okimono: A small ivory figurine depicting scenes from everyday life in Japan.
• Chinese ivory puzzle ball: A series of carved, nested spheres made of ivory, often featuring intricate carvings and designs.
• Cantonese ivory chess set: A set of intricately carved ivory chess pieces made in the 19th century in Canton, China.
It is important to note that the use of ivory in decorative arts has been controversial due to the impact on elephant populations. Many countries have implemented restrictions on the trade of ivory in order to protect endangered elephant populations. For example, in the United States, it is illegal to import, export, buy, or sell elephant ivory with limited exceptions for antiques and certain musical instruments. The European Union has also banned the trade in ivory within its member states, with exceptions for some antique items. The restrictions on the trade of ivory aim to protect endangered elephant populations and prevent illegal poaching and trafficking of ivory.
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