I inherited this item and do not know what material it is made from. It appears to me to be a man with a farm implement for harvesting crops along with some type of harvest.
Approximately 5" tall by 1.25" wide at the base.
Hello, this item is a small Asian figural carving depicting a young male agricultural worker carrying what appears to be harvested grain or rice stalks along with a harvesting tool. The sculpture was likely produced in China or possibly Japan during the mid to late 20th century as a decorative export carving. The material appears consistent with carved bone or a composite imitation ivory material rather than true elephant ivory. The smooth uniform coloration, simplified carving style, and overall finish indicate a decorative commercial production piece rather than an earlier hand-carved antique ivory sculpture. The black wooden base also appears original to the piece and typical of export decorative carvings from the 1960s through 1980s.
From a market perspective, these small carved figural works are collected primarily as decorative Asian art rather than as rare antique carvings. While the craftsmanship is competent and the subject matter charming, the absence of a signature, documented maker, or evidence of antique origin limits its market value. The condition appears generally stable with no obvious major losses visible in the photographs. Comparable mid-century carved bone or faux-ivory Asian figures typically sell in the modest decorative arts market. Based on current secondary market comparisons, the fair market value would likely range between $50 and $125 USD.