Lega Ivory Figure

[shayde78]

Thank you Ian, Detlef, and David!

I will try to take some additional photos that may confirm the presence, or lack thereof of Schreger lines.

In the meantime, I tracked down the catalogue description from 2005, when that similar item sold at auction. You can view the listing here https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions...4/lot.168.html

Since pages can disappear, I'll paste the relevant text below. Also, visiting the Sotheby's page, you'll see they list the material as hippo ivory, so that may help with identifying the material of my piece:

"The Studer-Koch iginga statue bears a rich and deep patina, evidencing a long period of handling, and was likely already several generations old at the time of its collection in 1937. Within the corpus of Lega ivory figures, it is distinguished by the unconventional rendering of the limbs in cascadic form, a unique stylistic feature. Its resonnanace with Modernist sensibilities prompted the French connoisseur Jean Paul Barbier-Mueller (2006: 334) to the following commentary: "There is no doubt that the Studer-Koch figurine is 'Primitivist' and aggressive in a quite unsettling way. Indeed, it is not a 'nice object.' [... Its] face is admirably modeled, its mouth is not lacking in ferocity, and its body is firmly planted on its two bowed legs. [... It occupies] a unique place in a large and well-known corpus.""

As always, thank you for the education,
-Rob

[Ian]

Hi Rob,

Interesting item in the Sotheby's link and indeed close to the one you have. I see that Sotheby's say that example is made from hippo ivory. I don't think yours is hippo ivory, I believe it is elephant ivory.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Rob,

Interesting item in the Sotheby's link and indeed close to the one you have. I see that Sotheby's say that example is made from hippo ivory. I don't think yours is hippo ivory, I believe it is elephant ivory.

Agree with Ian about the material.

[Richard G]

But if it's hippo ivory it's easier to sell.
Just saying.

Regards
Richard

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Richard G

But if it's hippo ivory it's easier to sell.
Just saying.

Regards
Richard

Aaaah, yes. I see your point Richard.

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Richard G

But if it's hippo ivory it's easier to sell.
Just saying.

Regards
Richard

I have been wondering about this detail. Was this even legal for me to purchase? Is it possible to sell?

If these topics shouldn't be discussed here, you're all welcome to message me privately. I did reach out to Sotheby's for a valuation, but haven't heard back. Guidance on getting an appraisal is also appreciated.

Thanks all!

[Ian]

We are getting into complicated issues regarding ivory items. There is information elsewhere on this site about the purchase and selling of ivory and some of the various legal implications of such dealings. I agree with Rob, that such discussions about his item should be taken to PM with him directly and not aired here.


Ian