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What Is a Doctor’s Lady?
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For centuries, a variety of materials have been used to carve statues ranging from bead like netsuke to large life like symbols of power and prestige. In China, archeologists have unearthened hordes of clay armies that went down with the ruler at his burial. These life-like statues symbolize the important role of representation of mankind, even at death.

The use of small statues and netsuke has been an integral part of Asian civilizations where symbolic representations gave vent to the artist’s feelings and conveyed meanings more than words. Apart from the practical usage of statues and carved beads, as decorative items, the conventional and repressed society of Asia, it was not possible to even talk of any subject of sexual connotation while the distinction between the sexes were evident. It was during this time that art and culture was at its peak and China came to be forerunner in terms of exquisite and delicate porcelain manufacturer apart from other artistic highlights.

However, artists and sculptors gave a free hand to intricately carved delineated nude and semi nude sculptures and one of them had a practical use- The famed Doctor’s Lady. These sculptures were intrinsically carved with each body part clearly demarcated, 10-25 inches in length and were either completely nude or semi nude. These figurines served a very practical purpose- they were sad to be part of the Chinese medicine man’s kit and female patients were allowed to pinpoint the location of their problem or discomfort by pointing it out on these statues. The modesty and repressions or traditions of the society can be judged even today based on numerous such artifacts that have been collected and unearthened or even mentioned in ancient texts. Most of the Doctor’s Lady can be traced back to the Ming and Qing epoch when the repression to free expression was the highest.

A multitude of such carvings of Doctor’s Lady were created from a variety of different materials such as amber, resin, mammoth ivory, soapstone, gemstones and catered to a variety of classes within the society. Ivory has always been a favored material to carve as it is hard on the outside but softer within and is known for its gloss, color and finish.

Over a period of time, these exotic figurines gained a wider popularity and came to be used as netsuke and amulets that did not serve a practical purpose. A majority of later day Doctor’s Lady were more ornamental than serving the original purpose.

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IvoryAndArt Resources

Happy New Year - Year of the Dragon 2012!

Amongst all the Chinese signs, Dragon is the best year to be born in. Endowed with natural good luck and strength, these individuals are well liked and respected by all. The Dragon is a perfectionist, detailed and very enthusiastic. According to the legends of China, the Dragon holds mystic powers of flying to the Heavens and has the ability to swim in the sea, making it sound invincible.

The mystical Dragon is ranked high as a noble, in the hierarchy of Chinese Zodiac animals. A natural born leader, Dragon is perfect as a child and a responsible adult.

The mystical Dragon is ranked high as a noble, in the hierarchy of Chinese Zodiac animals. A natural born leader, Dragon is perfect as a child and a responsible adult. Amongst all the Chinese signs, Dragon is the best year to be born in. Endowed with natural good luck and strength, these individuals are well liked and respected by all.
Read all article about YEAR Of The Dragon

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Mammoth ivory, Elephant Ivory - real or fake?

There is always a fear that the ivory sculpture that you bought might turn out to be a fake, because as a layman you may not be able to differentiate between a clever replicas and real ivory. However, with experience in this field and handling nearly all types of ivory, it becomes easy to differentiate just by seeing it.

Even though pure ivory can be of various quality and types, the fake ivory is made from resins. The powder that is left after sawing/carving ivory or remnants from bone sculptures are not wasted but all added to resins, put into molds.

Mammoth ivory tusk

The sculptures are then cleaned and then dipped in dark hued stains that give them the brownish tinge. There is always a difference in weight between a resin ivory and real ivory as real ivory is very heavy...Read all article about your Mammoth Ivory fake or real?

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