Mentioning ivory conjures up images of beautiful objects and fine craftsmanship backed by exclusive style and value. Man’s relationship with ivory dates way back about 10,000 to 40,000 years ago in the era of the Cro-Magnons from the Pleistocene period. Ivory was always used for carvings before being taken up by Egyptians by around 2600 B.C and by Europeans between the 12th and 14th century.

Popularity of ivory

Ivory is associated with elephant tusks although it was also derived from tusks and teeth of various animals like the warthog, walrus, and mammoth. Ivory is like dentine, the calcified tissue beneath teeth enamel. The animals mentioned earlier have more dentine mass compared to humans making them have large teeth and tasks. This is where ivory was derived.

Using ivory for carving

Ivory makes wonderful carving material for being hard but lighter than stone or metal. It’s no wonder that ivory from animal teeth and tusk offers great versatility for carving. Ivory tusks can retain their original shape for superficial carving. Alternatively, multiple items such as figurines, jewelry, carved boxes, and serviette holders are made from ivory. Antique ivory items are highly valued by art collectors and homeowners for aesthetic purpose.

Buying authentic ivory carvings

It’s very important to be careful when purchasing ivory carvings since the market is full of various fakes as well. Mammoth or elephant ivory has distinctive cross-hatched patterns known as Schreger lines. However, makers of fake products can make plastic imitations through the scrimshawing technique. A simple way to tell the best ivory carvings is by heating a pin and poking them. The pin will make a tiny mark and some burnt whiff to reveal genuine ivory. Fake ivory will give off an acrid smell of plastic and leave a hole.

Why ivory makes good carvings

Exhibit style and taste

Ivory has unique features oozing classic style and taste. Ivory artifacts exhibit high quality backed by masterful craftsmanship. Genuine ivory carvings have a smooth surface that makes duplication impossible. Investing in carvings from a reputable collector is the trick to owning these wonderful artifacts with a likelihood of high ROI.

Smooth surface

The close-grained texture of genuine ivory carvings gives the item surface a smooth surface. Ivory carvings are undoubtedly very hard and perfectly with little resilience synonymous with natural materials. It’s no wonder that the finest artists and carvers at the time chose to work with ivory apart from other materials.

Unique natural color

Ivory has a unique color although some artifacts are painted or bleached. You will love the natural color of genuine ivory carvings with a mellow glow and soft appeal. Bleaching and painting compromise the beauty of the carvings. Therefore, to enjoy the natural beauty of ivory artifacts, opting for those without paint or bleach is ideal.

Timeless appeal

Mostly consider a part of Far East traditions, ivory carvings make wonderful artworks regardless of where you’re are. Ivory has been used to make amazing decorations for homes and churches. The best thing about ivory carvings is their timeless appeal. Using these artifacts in your home will always make your space not get out of style. Ivory has also been used for other items like piano and organ keys.

Good money value

Ivory for marking carvings isn’t available everywhere. And, the need to conserve elephants led to the bad on using elephant tusks to get ivory. Therefore, the ivory products you are likely to find in the market are obviously made from ivory got from tusks of the woolly mammoth or teeth of other animals. This works to give ivory carvings great value. Investing in ivory artifacts is a good idea with an opportunity to resale them after some time. You’re more likely to sell the carvings at a considerably higher price than that one you bought them at.

Bottom line

For art collectors and enthusiasts, ivory carvings are amazing items to buy. These make great home decoration items and viable investment. However, you have to understand what makes ivory special including how to select genuine ivory carvings from fake ones. This knowledge will make it easier for you to make informed decisions when taking the plunge to purchase ivory carvings.