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SMOKEE'S
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Thank you for visiting! It is my goal to provide the best value and variety on eBay when it comes to hand carved ivory netsukes and okimonos. It is not only a hobby but also a passion - one that intensifies with time.
A netsuke is a small carving usually of wood or ivory serving as a toggle'
Netsuke is a form of small sculpture which developed in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years. Netsuke served both functional and aesthetic purposes. The kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets. Women would tuck small personal items into their sleeves, but men suspended their tobacco pouches, pipes, purses or writing implements, on a silk cord, from their obi (sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. To stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle was attached. This toggle is called a netsuke. Artists over the years have made the designs more and more elaborate thus developing it into a cherished art form.
A sliding bead (ojime) was strung on the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono (inro) to tighten or loosen the opening of the sagemono. The entire ensemble was then worn, at the waist, and functioned as a sort of removable hip pocket.
All three objects, the netsuke, the ojime and the different types of sagemono were often beautifully decorated with elaborate carving, lacquer work, or inlays of rare and exotic materials, including: wood, ivory, precious metals, shell, coral and semi-precious stones. All three items developed into highly coveted and collectible art forms but it is the netsuke that has by far, most captivated the collector.
Today, contemporary netsuke of the finest quality are still being carved, as highly respected, original works of art. While not intended to be worn they adhere to all the standards of a true netsuke. There are several dozen highly successful netsuke artists, many of whom have been apprentices to great carvers of the past, who are currently creating modern masterpieces. Another fascinating aspect of these contemporary netsuke is that they reflect the time and place in which artists live. In the early part of this century, dealers encouraged netsuke carvers to emulate antique netsuke both in style and subject matter. These had a charm of their own. |
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WHAT is MAMMOTH IVORY?
Mammoth ivory has gorgeous grain just like elephant ivory. The only real difference is the age of the ivory (which cannot be determined by looking at it) and the angle of intersection of the grain lines (you really have to know your stuff to differentiate between the two). So mammoth ivory offers you the beauty of elephant ivory combined with free trade combined with limited supply. It is far and away the most popular type of netsuke that is currently bought and sold. There is no restriction on importing or exporting mammoth ivory because the woolly mammoth has been extinct for over 10,000 years. It is very difficult to distinguish mammoth ivory from elephant ivory (I believe because the woolly mammoth was the ultimate ancestor of the elephant). It is my opinion that mammoth ivory netsukes and okimonos offer excellent appreciation potential. Here are some of the reasons I feel so strongly about the future of these incredible works of art: Limited Supply - there is less than a 5 year supply remaining at current rates of consumption. Increased Demand - more and more people are collecting netsukes and okimonos. Shortage of Artisans - as skilled craftsmen have declined year after year in this country, so too are the artisans creating these masterpieces. Global Economy - no longer is trading limited by geographic boundaries - thanks largely to the internet. Competitive Advantages - why buy mass produced collectibles when you can own something individually hand carved and hand scrimshawed and truly unique. Free Trade - mammoth ivory is not subject to the import and export restrictions of other types of ivory since the Wooly Mammoth has been extinct for over 10,000 years. |
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