Southeast Asia Bone Sculpture
2 bone sculptures, one male and one female on a wooden stand. Possibly purchased 1969 in Vietnam.
My father purchased them when he was in Vietnam while serving in the US Navy.
Inherited
Maybe
Dear Lisa,
This is a bone figure of Guanyin he is the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion. I believe its a Chinese carving and not Vietnamese. Its made in mid / second half 20th century so its not much older then the date your father was in Vietnam I believe. These carvings are made in many cases for the western market and I think this is also made for 'tourist' or export. Carving is nicely done, you can find many with lower quality.
Also, why kind of bone is common for these carvings?
Dear Lisa,
They do not come in pairs normally so I cannot tell you the name of the female statue you have. Bone is a more cheap material then Ivory. Its also easy available.
Regards,
Simon Breider
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Thank you for this information. I have a matching female carving. What is she called?