Ivory mammoth

Mammoth tusks are not covered by trade bans, as the animal is already extinct and therefore not endangered. This makes mammoth ivory a popular substitute for elephant ivory today. 

In cross-section the mammoth tusk exhibits the same engine turning pattern as the elephant tusk (Fig. 3.12), and it can be impossible to tell them apart. Mammoth ivory can be a fraction darker in colour than elephant ivory, and does not take quite such a good polish. Also, the angles of intersection of the arcs in the dentine pattern tend to be narrower, at less than 90 degrees, as opposed to over 115 degrees in elephant ivory, though this can vary. 

This is an extremely rare fossilised mammoth ivory that originated in southern France. For many years it was thought to have been stained blue naturally by the presence of the mineral vivianite in the surrounding soil. However, it is now believed that the ivory was deliberately heat-treated in the Middle Ages, to resemble the mineral turquoise. It is easily mistaken for turquoise, but close inspection reveals the typical dentine patterning of mammoth tusk. Today odontolite is only seen in museums or private collections. 

It is also found and sold in fossilised form and can retain its creamy colour, though it usually appears a pale brown shade, especially around the edges (Fig. 3.16). It is found in the permafrost of Alaska and Siberia and is - like the mammoth ivory that is also found in those areas - frozen rather than mineralised. Fossilised walrus ivory takes an excellent polish, but is mostly carved as a curiosity. 

Bone is the most common simulant of ivory. In smaU items or as inlay it can be difBcult to tell which material has been used as both bone and ivory appear much the same colour and have many similar properties. However, bone contains none of the structural patterns of ivories, for example the engine turned pattern of elephant and mammoth ivory or the tapioca pattern of the secondary dentine in walrus ivory. Instead it has the black dots or lines of the Haversian canals (nutrient bearing canals) (Figs 4.2 and 4.3). 

The diagnostic for certain ivories is their structural patterns, for example the engine turning pattern in elephant or mammoth ivory, the tapioca pudding look of the secondary dentine in walrus ivory, the diagonal pattern on narwhal ivory and the concentric lines and dark central spot of sperm whale ivory (F 3.4 and 3.12-3.17). In larger carvii or objects, the curvature of a tusk may be detectable. Examination of the structural pattern is needed to determine which type of tusk has been used. 

Ivory has been regarded as valuable and desirable for at least 7000 years, and there have been finds of mammoth ivory implements dating back to the Stone Age. As ivory is more durable than many of the organics, we are able to trace its history more easily. It has never lost its popularity, but, as fashions changed, it has been used for different forms of adornment. The very best craftsmanship has always been lavished on this beautiful material, and it has enjoyed a status never attained by any of the other organic materials. For example, many thrones have been made of ivory. 

Related Materials. Table II gives the results of elemental analyses for bone, ivory, and related specimens. The mastadon, mammoth, and ancient walrus sample analyses indicated retained proteinaceous matter in composition equivalent to that for modern elephant ivory. This suggests that these materials would not provide a ready source of aged ivory for a modem carver seeking to duplicate the texture and composition of ivory buried for well over 2,000 years. 

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