A very traditional piece, this netsuke of a Geisha and her master is a very visually intriguing, and meaningful piece. A netsuke that the carver took every precaution to enhance.
The Meaning Of This Mammoth Ivory Master Netsuke
Since, netsuke are known for their meaning this mammoth ivory master netsuke is no different. You can see from the servile nature of the Geisha, and the bad tempered manner of her master. Also, it is apparent that the Geisha wants to please her master, not only because that is what she is meant to do but because it’s in her nature. Therefore, if you really scrutinize this netsuke you can ascertain that it means serving with honor and pride, even in situations where you may not want to serve.
The Details Perfectly Depicted In This Netsuke
It’s not only the meaning of this netsuke that makes it valuable but also the features that the carver perfected. The masterpiece of this netsuke is the detail in the master’s facial expression. You can really see the representational and convincing expression he is pulling. An expression that is common when people are cleaning there ears. But the artist also took it upon himself to perfect other minute features that may not be recognizable unless you’re a true collector of Japanese artifacts. The first of those being the realistic and authentic pattern on the Geisha’s garment.
Even the shoes the Geisha is wearing are authentically portrayed as well as her traditional hairstyle and accessories.
Therefore, when you purchase this mammoth ivory master netsuke, not only are you purchasing rare mammoth ivory but a very rare and unique piece.
Want to know all about Mammoth ivory?
Fossil ivory or mammoth ivory tusk is procured from the modified two upper incisors of the Woolly mammoth. This fossil ivory or Mastodon ivory is harvested from the fossilized remains of the wooly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) that have been extinct since the last 10,000 years. The remains of these huge animals are found in Siberia, Alaska and other regions of Russia. The fossilized ivory is a precious commodity which is extracted from the permafrost and thus, has high antique and historical value. The Mammoth ivory is as good as elephant ivory when it comes to its quality and luster.
Wooly mammoths have been extinct for the past 10,000 years unlike Asian and African elephants so mammoth ivory is not listed in the Appendices to the CITES nor is mammoth ivory subject to control as per the listed Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, Cap. 187. Mammoth ivory is a precious relic of the past that has been well preserved in the coldest tundra regions of Siberia and Alaska. Thus, mammoths or Mammuthus primigenus is an extinct proboscidan and the only legal source of high grade precious ivory that can be used for carvings.
Fossil ivory or mammoth ivory is sensitive to surrounding temperature and harsh climatic conditions have an adverse impact. Due to its sensitivity to humidity and temperature, when it expands and contracts, it can split due to stress. We ensure that only the purest of ivory is used that is free of any imperfection after being acclimatized for a number of years above ground. To protect your ivory, it is recommended that you rub mineral oil twice a year to replenish its natural oils. Renaissance Wax can be used to give it a protective polished shine.
However, please bear in mind and do not:
Spill or put ink on ivory
Make the ivory wet
Put the ivory in direct sunlight
Let the ivory heat up or freeze
Expose the ivory to fluctuations in temperature and humidity
Basic differences between Elephant ivory and mammoth ivory
Using the angles of Schreger lines in Mammoth ivory can differentiate between elephant ivory and fossil ivory. You can see this reflected in the cross section photographs of both elephant and mammoth ivory.
Schreger lines in Elephant Ivory Schreger lines in Mammoth Ivory
It is clearly reflected in the photos that the angle of Schreger lines on the mammoth ivory are less than 90 degrees while those on elephant ivory are more than 115 degrees. This is the best way to do differentiate between the two ivories.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the demand of mammoth ivory which has led to an unquenchable proportion. But if you look at the current scenario, mammoth ivory is non replenishable. There are only limited mammoth ivory that can be extracted from the fossilized carcass and how long can that be done?
Most researchers have estimated about over 9 million carcasses are still buried under the deep permafrost in the Tundra regions and about the same number are available to be harvested in the higher regions in China. There is a high demand of mammoth ivory in China where not only do sculptors need this powerful medium to carve and sculpt but traditional herbal medicine practitioners require the low quality mammoth ivory chips and dust to put into traditional medicines.
After the banning of elephant ivory in 1999, fossil ivory became much in demand as an alternative medium to elephant ivory. However, there is another aspect of paleontologists and archeologists to harvesting ivory. According to them, excavating the carcass for harvesting the tusks, which has been buried for centuries and converted into a fossil leads to damage of scientific data. But fossil ivory traders have a different view and claim that it is better to unearthed the precious material from the soil and sculpt it for people to enjoy the beauty of ageless ivory.