Ivory

Examples of Ivory in the following topics:

• Ivory Carving

  • Ivory carving is the carving of animal tooth or tusk, by using sharp cutting tools, either mechanically or manually.
  • Such ivory panels were used as book-covers from the sixth century, usually as the centerpiece and surrounded by metalwork and gems.
  • Carved ivory covers were used for treasure bindings on the most precious illuminated manuscripts.
  • Carved ivory relief.
  • Discuss the special importance and uses of ivory carving in the early Christian period of medieval history

• Ivory Carving in the Early Byzantine Empire

  • The Barberini Ivory was an impressive example of Early Byzantine relief sculpture.
  • Early Byzantine art was also marked by the cultivation of ivory carving.
  • Ivory diptychs, often elaborately decorated, were issued as gifts by newly appointed consuls.
  • The Barberini Ivory is a Byzantine ivory leaf from an imperial diptych dating from Late Antiquity, now in the keeping of the Louvre in Paris.
  • The Barberini Diptych is an early example of Byzantine Ivory work.

• Gothic Metalwork and Ivory Carvings

  • In France, metal and ivory pieces took on a diminutive but ornate characteristic, and required great skill to create.
  • While metal and ivory art work was often more diminutive, it was still quite striking.
  • Ivory became available once again in Europe in the middle ages and created a trend for ivory sculptures of various forms.
  • These works were considered luxury items and Ivory work could often be found on the backs of hairbrushes, mirrors, and other luxury items.  
  • This mirror casing is an example of the ornate ivory work that became part of everyday objects in the Middle Ages.

• Carolingian Metalwork in the Early European Middle Ages

  • Carolingian metalworkers primarily worked with gold, ivory, gems, and other precious materials.
  • Carolingian-era metalworkers primarily worked with gold, gems, ivory, and other precious materials.
  • For instance, luxury Carolingian manuscripts were given treasure bindings and elaborately ornate covers in precious metals set with jewels around central carved ivory panels.

• Benin

  • The Benin Empire (1440-1897) developed an advanced artistic culture, especially known for its famous artifacts of bronze, iron, and ivory.
  • It developed an advanced artistic culture, especially known for its famous artifacts of bronze, iron, and ivory.
  • Typically made from bronze, brass, clay, ivory, terracotta, or wood, works of art were produced mainly for the court of the Oba (king) of Benin.
  • One of the most common artifacts today is the ivory mask based on Queen Idia, the mother of Oba Esigie who ruled from 1504-1550.
  • Describe the various kinds of Benin art, including Benin Bronzes, Ikegobo, and ivory masks, and the influence of the Portuguese on this art

• Eskimo

  • Very little remains of them, and only a few preserved artifacts carved in ivory could be considered works of art.
  • The Dorset culture, which became culturally distinct around 600 BCE, produced a significant amount of figurative art using mediums such as walrus ivory, bone, caribou antler, and on rare occasions, stone.
  • Walrus Ivory in particular was the preferred material for carving utensils, tools, and weapons among Pre-Dorset and Dorset artisans.
  • All of the Thule utensils, tools, and weapons were made by hand from natural materials, including stone, bone, ivory, antler, and animal hides.

• Benin

  • At its height, the Benin Empire displayed an advanced artistic culture that produced beautiful works of bronze, iron and ivory.
  • At its height, the empire developed an advanced artistic culture and produced beautiful artifacts of bronze, iron and ivory.
  • Typically made from bronze, brass, clay, ivory, terracotta or wood, most art was produced at the court of the Oba (king) and was used to illustrate achievements of the empire or to narrate mythical stories.

• The Benin Bronzes

  • There are also pieces made of wood, ceramic, ivory, and mixtures of bronze and brass, among other materials.
  • Bronze and ivory objects had a variety of functions in the ritual and courtly life of the Kingdom of Benin.
  • Bronze receptacles, bells, ornaments, jewelry, and ritual objects also possessed aesthetic qualities and originality, demonstrating the skills of their makers, although they are often eclipsed by figurative works in bronze and ivory carvings.
  • In general, only the king could own objects made of bronze and ivory; however, he could allow high-ranking individuals to use such items, such as hanging masks and cuffs made of bronze and ivory.

• The Etruscan Culture

  • An ivory pyxis, which appears to imitate a Phoenican style, has a clearly Etruscan origin.
  • The ivory was imported into the region, likely from an Eastern source.
  • Ivory. c. 650-625 BCE.
  • Discuss the Orientalizing period of Etruscan culture and their use of gold and ivory.

• Sculpture of the Early Christian Church

  • Nevertheless, they continued ancient Roman sculptural traditions in portrait busts and sarcophagus reliefs, as well as smaller objects such as the consular diptych (a pair of linked panels, generally in ivory, wood or metal and decorated with rich sculpted decoration).
  • Following the Byzantine tradition, Carolingian art revived ivory carving, often in panels for the treasure bindings of grand illuminated manuscripts, as well as crozier heads and other small fittings.
  • Byzantine art, though producing superb ivory reliefs and architectural decorative carving, never returned to monumental sculpture, or even much small sculpture in the round.