A match for the containers? 16th-17th century ivory vases

[Koen G]

As I mentioned earlier, the ivory artworks are based on a stylistic language that had already been in use for centuries. The only thing new are the risky constructions.

Indeed. These ivory pieces were displays of skill and ingenuity (sometimes the nobles themselves would learn how to make one, to they too could show off their skills). It seems that what they add on to already existing forms is a whole lot of whimsy of the kind we do not find in the VM vessels. The items below also include some of these "perfectly fitting concentric jars or spheres nested entirely inside each other out of that one solid piece", which are apparently a perfect description for the VMS vessels word by word. The craftsman would show off by carving a smaller piece inside of another. Since the holes in the external sphere are too small to have fitted the internal object through, it is clear to the viewer that this feat was achieved through extraordinary skill (that's why they were all so fond of it).

   


Here's the image of the bentwood boxes from the Wiki, this time arranged with the "Instruments", in a taller stack: