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Chinese Ivory? Chess Set

In Games > Chess Sets > Show & Tell.
Chess Sets22 of 51Antique Chess Set - STERLING SILVER & Wood - Origins?Mystery Aluminum Chess set
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Posted 11 months ago

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rr11ccee
(32 items)

Experts,

Any input on collectible and monetary value would be appreciated! I don't know anything about this piece nor where to go on-line to gather more information on it.

How can I tell if the pieces are ivory?

Thanks,

Eric

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Comments

  1. Manikin Manikin, 11 months ago
    Hi Robin what was your clue it was new ? Just wanting to learn here . It appears old to me and I understand making old reproductions of many things and ususally can tell right away . I am looking for your clue that tipped you off ? The hinges. lock ? I would have been fooled by this one unless I was holding it my hands then I might be able to tell .Nice Post rr11 :-) I like it a lot .
  2. rr11ccee rr11ccee, 11 months ago
    Thanks Manikin something is definitely here, the set is incredibly well made (except the box it came in) I ordered from "Chinese E-Bay" (DH Gate I believe it's called), and the pieces were purportedly ivory. The set seems like something old that has been repackaged. The pieces are covered in shellac for instance and signs of their age appear to have been covered up. I'll do the hot pin test for ivory (the best way?) and let you know!

    Thanks,

    Eric
  3. jwendell222, 11 months ago
    Hi Eric, where was the set shipped from? If outside the U.S., then almost certainly not ivory, not legal ivory anyway, since an import ban has been in effect since 1990. (Google CITES) You can probably determine for yourself if the set is molded: with a good magnifier look for small flaws or irregularities that repeat on like pieces of your set, around the eyes of your pawns for example. The heat test needs a wood handle on the needle to apply sufficient force to the glowing red needle to produce a pit that can then be seen with magnification. This is not an absolute however, as there several manmade materials that do not pit, ivorine for example. Hope this helps, and good luck, Jim
  4. rr11ccee rr11ccee, 11 months ago
    jwendell222,

    It was shipped from China. Thanks for your advice!
  5. flowerrose flowerrose, 11 months ago
    Lovely case and set. Good luck with pin prick test. Still beautiful whatever it is made from.

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