IVORY TANGRAM SET 3

Daniel S. has a personal treasure in an ivory set that has been passed down to him. In his own words:

"When my Grandfather passed away my Grandmother gave me a tangram set which he and I had played with and enjoyed greatly when I was a youngster.

The set is truly a work of art and is signed by who I believe was an oriental carving master, the only ones allowed to sign their works. The set is kept in an old wooden box with wood hinges that I've learned is snuff box which was made around 1790."

I see all the classic Oriental good fortune symbols represented in the carving. Chinese dragons, symbol of success and power, lotus flowers and what people in the west call a Phoenix. It's really a Fenghuang which has very positive connotations of high virtue and grace. These types of sets were all made for the export market (a tip of the hat to Jerry Slocum for that information). The puzzle would be something to give to someone very special. It would have also been an expensive gift only affordable to the wealthy.

Have a look at his ivory set.

[Show as slideshow]