Northwestern Europe, England or United States, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fine and charming walrus ivory carving of a bulldog's head, that was once the finial to a cane or umbrella. This cute pup has the characteristic jowly cheeks, upturned snout, and wrinkly sagging, skin so characteristic of this breed! The eyes are drilled deeply inward, and the sockets would have been inlaid with glass or stones. The underside has a cavity for inserting the wooden handle of the cane - here the piece of wood is still imbedded inside. The way the ivory was cut and polished reveals the striated layers of the cementum and dentin. This pooch would have been a very stylish handle for any dandy gentleman's cane. Bulldogs were a popular breed in the late 19th century and often associated with the "British spirit" of determination and stubbornness. Size: 1.5" W x 1.5" H (3.8 cm x 3.8 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Evergreen, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA, collection, acquired 1960 to 2000

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168642

Stable linear inclusions and striations and minor surface abrasions. Intact and very good. Yellow and brown patina.