{"product_id":"large-ivory-bilikin","title":"Large Ivory Bilikin","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eMid 20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e5.125\" H x 2.125\" x 1.75\" D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eHand Carved from Eskimo Ivory of a Large Statue with Painted Black Facial Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eExcellent Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eIvory Billikens Statues are the famous Billiken, the \"God of Things as They Ought to Be,\" a popular good-luck charm figure created in the early 1900s. Designed in 1908 by American art teacher and illustrator Florence \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003ePretz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e in Kansas City, Missouri. A chubby, smiling, elf-like figure with pointed ears, often sitting with legs extended, hands on belly or knees. Early versions were made in ivory, terracotta, or composition; later mass-produced in plastic, metal, etc. Became a global mascot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e—most famously for Saint Louis University (SLU), where the sports teams are called the Billikens. Genuine ivory Billikens from the 1910s–1920s are collectible antiques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003eProvenance:  From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique American Indian Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46011929231525,"sku":"5231-403","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/6071\/5685\/files\/5231-403_4.jpg?v=1761676598","url":"https:\/\/antiqueamericanindianart.com\/products\/large-ivory-bilikin","provider":"Antique American Indian Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}