Description:

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A finely carved Chinese toggle (guajian) made from elephant ivory, depicting a crawling male baby with the traditional haircut featuring a tuft of hair over his brow. This plump child embodies the idealized, happy, and healthy baby, with the male gender likely serving as a symbolic talisman to promote the birth of sons. In traditional Chinese culture, boys were valued for continuing the family lineage, providing labor, and ensuring ancestral worship. The inward-bent arms form suspension loops, allowing it to function as a counterweight for a tobacco pouch or other item hung from a belt. While the Japanese netsuke - used to secure cords for inro - is more widely known, it was likely inspired by Chinese belt toggles (zhuizi or guajian), which served a similar purpose in traditional Chinese attire. Size: 1.75" L x 1.3" W x 1" H (4.4 cm x 3.3 cm x 2.5 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Truchas, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired early 2000's

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#189294

  • Condition: The left / lighter colored arm is new material restoration and is likely bone. The rest of the figure is antique ivory. Yellow patina and black striations.

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October 18, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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