Ivory, a hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of animals, has been valued since ancient times for its use in art and manufacturing. The most important source of ivory is the elephant, but other mammals such as mammoths, walruses, hippopotamuses, sperm whales, orcas, narwhals, warthogs, and elks also provide this material. Ivory has been used to create a range of items, from ivory carvings to false teeth, piano keys, fans, and dominoes.
The Art Media Ivory
Ivory, a hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of animals, has been valued since ancient times for its use in art and manufacturing. The most important source of ivory is the elephant, but other mammals such as mammoths, walruses, hippopotamuses, sperm whales, orcas, narwhals, warthogs, and elks also provide this material. Ivory has been used to create a range of items, from ivory carvings to false teeth, piano keys, fans, and dominoes.
Elephant ivory is the most sought-after type due to its size and quality. The trade in natural ivory of threatened species such as African and Asian elephants is illegal, making synthetic ivory an alternative option. Tagua nuts can also be carved like ivory.
Ivory carving has a long history, with evidence of its use dating back to the Indus Valley civilization. Finished ivory products from this period include kohl sticks, pins, awls, hooks, toggles, combs, game pieces, dice, inlay and other personal ornaments. Ivory was also used in the Greek and Roman civilizations for making high-value works of art, precious religious objects, and decorative boxes for costly items.
Chinese ivory carvings are particularly renowned, with early references to their export along the Northern Silk Road dating back to the first century BC. Ivory was used in Japan during the Edo period (17th century) to create netsuke and kiseru, on which animals and legendary creatures were carved, and inro, on which ivory was inlaid.
Buddhist cultures of Southeast Asia traditionally harvested ivory from their domesticated elephants for containers due to its ability to keep an airtight seal. Ivory was also used for images of deities and other decorative items.
The chemical structure of ivory consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. It contains structures of mineralised collagen, making it a unique material with specific properties that make it suitable for carving and other artistic uses. The word "ivory" ultimately derives from the ancient Egyptian âb, âbu ('elephant'), through the Latin ebor- or ebur.
Merchant Ivory Productions, a film company founded in 1961 by producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory, has produced numerous films featuring ivory as a central theme. Their work often explores the cultural significance of ivory and its use in art and decorative items.
In conclusion, ivory is a valuable material with a rich history in art and manufacturing. Its unique properties make it suitable for carving and other artistic uses, and its cultural significance continues to be explored in contemporary art and film.