Anonymous Greek Sculptor in South Italy Striding Satyr 2nd century BC ivory relief appliqué Walters Art Museum, Baltimore |
Anonymous Roman Sculptor Artemis and Apollo 4th century AD ivory relief panel Walters Art Museum, Baltimore |
Anonymous Italian Sculptor St Sebastian ca. 1470-85 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Anonymous German Sculptor after Barthel Beham Battle of Nude Men over Abduction of a Woman ca. 1550-75 ivory relief plaque Walters Art Museum, Baltimore |
Gérard van Opstal Bacchanal of Putti ca. 1640-68 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
"Ivory is the dense, hard, creamy white substance that forms the tusks of mammals, though the term is also used for other similar materials. For centuries it has been highly valued by craftsmen and patrons alike for use in religious and secular objects. The main source of ivory is elephant tusks from Africa and India. The tusks of Atlantic walrus and whalebone from the Finner whale have also been popular in northern Europe since the 10th century. . . . Elephant and walrus ivory and whalebone are prepared for carving by removing the outer layer known as the 'husk' or 'cementum'. The tusk is then sawn into the appropriate shape for a figure or relief. The carver uses small knives, chisels, gouges and files, very similar to those used for wood carving. After polishing, ivory can be stained or partially painted or gilded."
Leonhard Kern Scene in a Women's Bath-house ca. 1650 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Francis van Bossuit David with the Head of Goliath ca. 1675-92 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
"Both the smooth carving of David's body, resembling wax, and the contrasting rough dappling of the background, are typical of the artist. Bossuit was one of the most accomplished ivory carvers of the late 17th century and the subtlety of this relief bears out his admirers' claims that he could carve ivory 'as if it was wax'. It was almost certainly carved in Amsterdam, where Bossuit moved late in his career, having spent many years in Italy."
Jakob Auer Judgment of Paris ca. 1675-80 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Balthasar Griessmann Sacrifice of Isaac 1679 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Anonymous Dutch Sculptor David with the Head of Goliath ca. 1690-1700 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Jacob Dobbermann Homage to Venus ca. 1730-40 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Peter Hencke Abduction of the Sabine Women 1743 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
"Dramatic and virtuoso compositions were often carved in ivory during the baroque period. Hencke's figures seem to have been inspired by Rubens's work, although no specific source has been identified. . . . The relief is made up of four pieces of ivory, with two extra added for the trees and archway, respectively."
Anonymous German Sculptor Childhood of Jupiter ca. 1850-1900 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
Anonymous Italian Sculptor Death as a Skeleton ca. 1850-70 ivory relief Victoria & Albert Museum |
– quoted texts based on curator's notes from the Victoria & Albert Museum