A collection of 125 lifelike, intricate ivory...

A collection of 125 lifelike, intricate ivory statues, made by Chinese carvers as far back as the 16th Century, is on display for the first time in the United States at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena.

The exhibit, “Images of Faith: Religious Ivory Carvings from the Philippines,” features works of art commissioned by Spanish colonial-era missionary friars.

The missionaries in Asiatook Chinese carvers from Canton and Macao to Manila to produce the figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and numerous saints.

Around 1700, native Filipino craftsmen took over the ivory-carving work, obtaining their

materials from elephant graveyards or from the cropped tusks of working elephants in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Today, ivory poachers threaten the survival of wild elephant populations and ivory trading is outlawed in many nations. These carvings were all made more than 150 years ago and belong to Philippine art foundations and private collections.

The exhibit, including objects dating from 1590 to 1810, runs through Jan. 13 at the museum at 46 N. Los Robles Ave. Hours are noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $3.