Posted 12 years ago
fishinnphyl
(2 items)
I would love to have any information you can give me about my emperor and empress. I do not know what material they are made of but they are extremely heavy. They are attached to the black wooden base and it has some design on the bottom also. They have so much carving work on them and are just lovely. Thanks for any help.
I have added the top of the head dress with some writing on it. Artist??
Hard to tell if ivory/resin/plastic from your pictures. Try the hot pin test...if it smells like burning hair...one step closer to ivory.
The emperor/empress theme is a popular one, especially during the Victorian era but I think these might be much more modern...70s or 80s.
Thank you and I will try that. I think there is something on the headdress but can't make it out. Will try to post a picture of that. Thank you again.
My Japanese is not very good, but looks like the given name at birth (Ayahito) of the Emperor Nink? and his first wife Empress Sukulito Sakayamas. Ninko had seven wives?? Also, looks like a okimono; decorative object made of mixed materials. While carving Ivory tusks in the early 20th century the dust from those carvings was mixed with a clear tree lacquer resin, formed and carved. Solid ivory has cross hatching veins and hairline cracks; ivory shrinks, checks, and cracks. Think AmberRose is right on the dates, after WWII tourism item.