What are these carved out of? Asian stuff

[rustyattic]

I've been looking at seals online and the price range is wide.  What do you think these 2 seals are carved from?  What do you call the items in the lower right corner of each pic?  I know I've seen something like the object in the 2nd pic, but I can't think of the name!  I'll take the white figures to someone.  I don't know if they're bone, ivory, etc.

[KC]

Hard to say from your pics...but possibly soapstone...

[mart]

If you could take good close pics of 1 or two items and post them on this site,,not photobucket,, we might be able to tell !!

[rustyattic]

The tall one was in a green box.  I think the back says 1978 (It's possible the '7' is a '1' but really doubtful)  The taller one had part of a seal on it, it's visible when they are side ways.

[mart]

Where did you get them??

[rustyattic]

I got them from an old Asian guy in Chicago. 

[KC]

You typically find Asian chops/stamps/seals made out of marble...and these close up look like marble.  You can still buy these in import stores here in the US and in "china town".

If you ever find any of Shoushan Stone they are worth more and collectible.

[JAT]

Rustyattic,

My husband just may be able to help you out (tomorrow, or rather - later today... I didn't realize how late it was! - 2:45 a.m.!)  In either case I'll get back to you as soon as I can tomorrow.

[mart]

Excellent JAT !!  Looks like rough marble to me too !!

[JAT]

I agree with Mart... if you could post these pics on this site rather than photobucket it might help us identify these easier.

If you could take good close pics of 1 or two items and post them on this site,,not photobucket,, we might be able to tell !!

[rustyattic]

I didn't know we can upload to site.  Let me know if they should be bigger, no flash, ect.

If someone can let me know what these are called, that would help a lot.

[kesgill]

I think the word you are looking for is scarab: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarab_%28artifact%29.  They are from Egypt, and it looks like yours has known hieroglyphics on the inside, such as the vulture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulture_%28hieroglyph%29.  The markings are crisp, and it looks relatively new.  My guess would be that someone brought it back recently from a tourist shop.

[KC]

Totally agree kesgill!  Scarabs.  Very crudely done.  Artisans took time/care in the ancient days...here's an example to show you the difference:

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/ancient-art-antiquities/an-egyptian-blue-heart-scarab-late-period-5609504-details.aspx
and here
http://ettuantiquities.com/scarabs_thumbnails_page-2.htm

[talesofthesevenseas]

Your scarab looks to be one sold to tourists, probably soapstone. My son bought a whole collection of them in all different sizes and materials from the Kahn el Kahlili bazaar in Cairo!