Hand crafted seedpod container.

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K
Posted by kimmer
9 years ago
AI Appraisal
💬 5 Comments 🗣️ Discuss with Community
Description

This item is 60 plus years old. The stopper and elephants are of ivory and I don't know what type of seed was used to contain them. I used the mini disk to show a relationship to size. That's all I know. Does it have a value?

 
Category Asian Art
Medium Ivory and natural seed.
Price ?
Price Paid (If known) Gifted to a family member at least 60 plus years ago.
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Submitted by Joseph

Wow, what a small item. I am absolutely sure that I've seen these before! Now, I have to go back into the recesses of my mind and figure out where and what it was from. So, I don't think it's particularly rare, but after I remember more about it I'll return and update. I know I've seen those small elephants before.

Submitted by Joseph

Okay, I knew I've seen these. Evidently there's a legend behind it about a temple in Guruvayoor India that you can read about here: http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmar97.htm

The last place to purchase them from seems to be ~ 25 years ago, at least commercially, but I'm sure they can still be found at garage sales and swapmeets.

Here's one that was on auction at one time (no pricing info though): https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/chippenham-auction-rooms/catalogue-id-srchi10033/lot-e55db246-4bf9-43ad-b55c-a48100c0d54d

After more research, I can see that there are many that have been sold on eBay and they go from anywhere from $10.00-$15.00. Most have around 3 lucky elephants in them. Hope this helps.

Submitted by Lovejoy

Most of them predate the ban on Ivory products, which I believe began in 1989, but sales of ivory items had been blocked by some countries as early as the 1970's. Some are not actually made of ivory, they are made of Tagua nut that resembles ivory..http://www.oneworldprojects.com/products/tagua.shtml.
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