12 1/2 Carat Gorgeous Intricate Hand Carved Owl Bone (faux Ivory) Pendant.

SIZE: Length: 17mm. Depth: 8mm (thickness). All measurements are approximate.

WEIGHT: 12.55 carats.

NOTES: Includes 24 inch gold electroplated chain.

DETAIL: A darling, cute rendition of an owl's face, in a hand carved, two-sided bone pendant in the best scrimshaw tradition of Russian and American Whalers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Hand carved and hand inked, each one of these pendants is unique, quite unlike most anything else you are likely to come across. This type of hand-carved workmanship is a rapidly disappearing art form in the 21st century. Even in countries like India and China where ivory has been carved for uncounted centuries, the skill passed from generation to generation, it is being lost to modern technology. This handcrafted bone pendant is prepared and stained in such a way as to give all the appearance of ivory, not mere bone. Of course, you and I know it is carved bone. But it will fool most any causal observer, as the piece has all of the richness and natural ivory.

Handcrafted using the same techniques employed by Russian and American whalers of a bygone era, the pendant comes mounted onto a very nice 24 inch, 14kt gold electroplated chain. We can substitute a silver electroplated chain, and if you would prefer, we also have available sterling silver and solid 14kt gold chains as well. Though mankind has been carving bone and ivory into jewelry since he lived in caves, in the Western World the art of scrimshaw is an art form that dates back only 200 years to the whaling days of New England. Artistic expressions in bone, horn and ivory were produced by the Lapps of northern Scandinavia and the North American Eskimos. With lots of idle time on their hands, whalers in these northern extremes picked up the art form. Sailors on whaling expeditions obtained walrus and whale ivory and fashioned the material into objects of art that they made for the tourist trade.

Made with scribes, needles or sharp knives, scrimshaw is a series of dots and/or lines filled with oil color or dye to create a picture. The artisan may or may not combine the inked features with elaborately carved features. American and Russian whalers of the 18th and 19th centuries intricately etched scenes of their voyages and scenes of the chase on a variety of ivories using only a sharp pointed tool and India ink. Almost all of the scenes depicted were of ocean going vessels, and things to do with the sea. Accepted as one of the most important folk arts of Americana, scrimshaw has almost died out in the 20th century. Rediscovered in the late 1960?s, scrimshaw became enormously popular once again. These carved and inked bone pendants are hand crafted in Russia in the tradition of and using the techniques of "scrimshawers" of the past two centuries.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".