Japanese Croc?

[ghopper1924]

This fellow is a crocodile that I inherited from a great aunt, now long passed away. I know she traveled Asia in the 1950s, including Japan. This croc came in a box of mostly Japanese figures, some of which are ivory, and a couple of which could be resin or even plastic.

So: This looks like a carved walrus tusk. Did Japanese craftsmen create such things in the 1950s? I usually associate ivory crocodiles with Africa. Have you seen any from Japan as well?

This guy has a thin crack on his long side, but is in overall excellent condition. 11" U.S. from tip to tip and 2" at the widest. I have no idea on how to even value it, although houseguests "in the know" have bandied $500 about, but that was over 10 years ago. This is a family piece, so there is no desire to ever sell it.

[mart]

No crocs in Japan !!  But there was an issue with them during WWll but not there !!

[KC]

Gotta' say I haven't ever seen a craved Japanese crocodile!  A definite "endangered species!"  Wish I would help with it - but not able to!

[Mat]

The Japanese made many things but this is not one of them, I believe.
Mat

[ghopper1924]

Update: Folks on the "other" site have made the point that, because of the curvature, this is probably a Warthog tusk that was imported to China, where it was carved and perhaps then exported to Japan. I don't think that tourism in China under Mao was a big thing for Americans back in the 1950s, and I'm virtually positive that my great Aunt didn't go there.  Makes sense.

Either that, or she bought it somewhere else and just threw it in the box of Japanese stuff. That has more of an Occam's Razor appeal.

[Mat]

Here it says a similar one comes from Africa, and the crocodile fits better to that continent, doesn't it?
http://carterscollectablesuk.co.uk/Warthog-tusk-deskweight

[ghopper1924]

Yep, smaller but similar. Thanks!

[Rauville]

Just for the sake of argument, Salt water crocodiles have been known to find their way to the Sea of Japan at times. I'm sure if there was a tourist market for a carving of anything, somebody would have fulfilled it.

At least in legend the Japanese were aware of crocs.
http://www.cvltnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/image042-700x348.jpg
Title: Minamoto no Yori-ie-kô Kamakura Kotsubo no umi-yûran Asahina etc.
Description: Asahina Yoshihide’s fight with two crocodiles in the sea off Kamakura, watched by the Shôgun Yori-ie and his nobles in boats

[ghopper1924]

Thanks Rauville, you've helped muddy the waters, ha ha.

Kidding.

So far my take home with this is that it's a croc carved from a Warthog tusk, either in Africa or after it was exported to east Asia. It could be Japanese, as it was included with a box of Japanese ivories form my great Aunt's estate, or maybe it was just tossed in there when the estate was packed up and its really from Africa or China.

Regardless, the value seems to be around $100 or so, 'cause its a big one.

[mart]

You said she traveled Asia ,, crocs are common there !!