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Pierced Ivory Puzzle Ball

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Pierced Ivory Puzzle Ball

Identifier:
1996.29.1
Description:
Fourteen pierced, drilled and carved balls-within-balls, made from a single piece of ivory. Thirteen inner balls show all-over repeating pattern of drilled stars and circles on bridges between large circular openings. Outer ball has intricately pierced and carved scenes of courtesans or figures from legend, surrounded by 'horror vaccui' carving of pagodas and flora in lace-like detail.

This piece is an excellent example of South Chinese ingenuity and carving technique. It is also useful in talking about animal endangerment and extinction. Its strong provenance to a European 'cabinet of curiosities' collector also speaks of the fascination with and origins of museums. 

This puzzle ball was collected and brought to America by donor's great-uncle, Ludwig Holzmaister, from his family's museum collection in Trubau, Austria. The donor was the president of the Public Museum's Board of Art and Museum Commissioners at the time of donation.
Date:
1850 – 1890
Materials:
Ivory
Dimensions:
4.25" h 4.25" w 4.25" d
Current Location Status:
On Exhibit
Source:
Gift Of Steele A. Taylor
Links:
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-chinese-pierced-ivory-puzzle-ball-19th-5410664-details.aspx?pos=9&intObjectID=5410664&sid=&page=7
Exhibit/Program:
I is for Ivory (after 2003)
Related Entity:
Steele A. Taylor (donor)

Steele Taylor is a New Jersey native and a World War II Navy veteran. In 1948, after earning a degree in economics from Williams College in Winston, Massachusetts, he accepted a job offer from Dohler-Jarvis in Grand Rapids. In 1960 he moved to Grand Rapids Steel and was part owner and president when he retired in 1985. He has served on many boards throughout his career, such as the Mary Free Bed Hospital, Aquinas Emeritus Center, various Hospice boards and former member and president of the Art and Museum Board. Steele and his wife Mary are consummate world travelers and their collection is a testament to their travels. Artifacts donated by Steele are exceptional resources, representing various regions of the world. He has also donated an extensive collection of pewter items to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.