View Full Version : IVORY FOR POMMEL
tanaruz
12th October 2020, 02:28 PM
Hello,
This is supposed to be a sperm whale tooth. Purchased from a seller who informed us that it came from tawi-tawi, from way way back.
My plan, if indeed this is sperm whale tooth, is to use it as a pommel to an old barung or kris (which has no pommel).
I've done some reading and this specimen conforms (in my unexpert opinion) to ivory. The ff are some things I have read on ivory's characteristics:
a) ivory always has parallel grain, like rings on a tree or crosshatch pattern called Schreger lines. On closer inspection, this tooth has both parallel and crosshatch patters.
b) in contrast to bone, ivory has a smooth feel.
Thanks in advance for you inputs.
Regards
Yves
thomas hauschild
12th October 2020, 07:12 PM
Please show a pic of the root-hole. This will make it a little bit more clear.
thomas hauschild
12th October 2020, 07:17 PM
Sperm whale real and fake/resin
thomas hauschild
12th October 2020, 07:19 PM
Walrus real and fake/resin
tanaruz
13th October 2020, 02:50 AM
Hello,
Many thanks for the initial info. Here are some more pics.
Thanks in advace.
Yves
mariusgmioc
13th October 2020, 06:50 AM
Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.
You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.
xasterix
13th October 2020, 08:11 AM
Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.
You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.
Greetings sir Marius, this thread has aroused my interest. Can you assess my piece as well? I'll try to sand off a portion of the break in the pommel and burn it for verificiation, but for the meantime here's a picture.
tanaruz
13th October 2020, 08:39 AM
Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.
You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.
Hi Sir,
Can you expound on the statement 'how it behaves'? what would be best to use for polishing?
Thanks
Yves
mariusgmioc
13th October 2020, 08:38 PM
How it behaves: if it melts is plastic; if it smells like "dentist" is ivory.
For polishing you can use sandpaper, 600-800 grit and give it a few rapid rubs. If it is ivory will smell like "dentist."
For final shiny polish you need to go to higher grit (3000-7000).
Greetings sir Marius, this thread has aroused my interest. Can you assess my piece as well? I'll try to sand off a portion of the break in the pommel and burn it for verificiation, but for the meantime here's a picture.
One photo from the side is not enough. You should post more close-up photos. Generally this type of hilts are made from elephant ivory. You should check for the Schreger lines.
I do not advise polishing/fire testing any finished product. For a raw piece of material is another story.
xasterix
14th October 2020, 01:50 AM
How it behaves: if it melts is plastic; if it smells like "dentist" is ivory.
For polishing you can use sandpaper, 600-800 grit and give it a few rapid rubs. If it is ivory will smell like "dentist."
For final shiny polish you need to go to higher grit (3000-7000).
One photo from the side is not enough. You should post more close-up photos. Generally this type of hilts are made from elephant ivory. You should check for the Schreger lines.
I do not advise polishing/fire testing any finished product. For a raw piece of material is another story.
Hullo, here are more pics of the pommel.
Rafngard
14th October 2020, 03:12 AM
Hullo, here are more pics of the pommel.
I'm sure members with more experience than I will chime in, but to my eye it looks like elephant ivory, and overall, a really beautiful specimen.
xasterix
14th October 2020, 05:51 AM
I'm sure members with more experience than I will chime in, but to my eye it looks like elephant ivory, and overall, a really beautiful specimen.
Thanks Leif! Additionally, if it's not much of a hassle, may I ask everyone to assess my friend's piece, of similar build as mine.
tanaruz
14th October 2020, 06:08 AM
Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.
You can easily test it ether trying to burn a tiny piece of it or by simply polishing it and you'll see how it behaves. If it melts and smells like plastic is resin, if it smells like "dentist" it is ivory.
Hi,
Did some 'polishing'- and it smells like burned 'enamel.' must be the 'dentist' smell.
I did contact an expert on this things. Sent her some pictures. Initially, there's the presence of Schreger lines + crosshatch pattern on the tooth.
And I was advised to bring the item to her for a visual verification.
Thanks and regards,
Yves
tanaruz
14th October 2020, 06:20 AM
Hi again,
forgot to include another test which I did (upon the instruction of the jeweller).
I got a needle, had it red hot on the fire and tried to pierce the tooth. - and voila, it did not went into the tooth.
Best
Yves
mariusgmioc
14th October 2020, 03:09 PM
The geometry of the cracks is consistent with ivory.
From all I know there are some ivorine resins that crack, but without round/circular cracks. Round/circular cracks are specific to ivory as they follow the growth rings.
xasterix
14th October 2020, 03:53 PM
The geometry of the cracks is consistent with ivory.
From all I know there are some ivorine resins that crack, but without round/circular cracks. Round/circular cracks are specific to ivory as they follow the growth rings.
Thanks very much sir!
Sajen
14th October 2020, 08:44 PM
Very difficult to judge from photos alone, but from what I see, it looks like resin.
Hi Marius,
Disagree again with you, soory! ;) :D The sperm whale tooth look real to my eyes but agree with you that's difficult to judge from a picture alone.
Regards,
Detlef
Sajen
14th October 2020, 08:48 PM
I did contact an expert on this things. Sent her some pictures. Initially, there's the presence of Schreger lines + crosshatch pattern on the tooth.
And I was advised to bring the item to her for a visual verification.
Hi Yves,
Sperm whale tooth shows no Schreger lines so far I know, only elephant ivory shows this lines.
Regards,
Detlef
Sajen
14th October 2020, 08:49 PM
Hullo, here are more pics of the pommel.
Elephant ivory!
Sajen
14th October 2020, 08:50 PM
Thanks Leif! Additionally, if it's not much of a hassle, may I ask everyone to assess my friend's piece, of similar build as mine.
Also elephant ivory.
xasterix
15th October 2020, 02:02 AM
Also elephant ivory.
Dear Detlef:
Thanks very much for the assessment!
xasterix
15th October 2020, 02:45 AM
Here are other samples, from another friend's collection. The one with the reddish hilt intrigues me, as it's a standout from the other ivory-looking samples. One of the hilts is also unique, having a string of hawk bells tied from the base of the pommel up to the gangya as a makeshift guard.
TIA for anyone who'll assess! Much appreciated.
Battara
15th October 2020, 02:59 AM
Xasterix, the Maguindanao pommel looks like aged Mother-of-Pearl in silver frames to me. I have seen it darken like this.
The other pommels are ivory. The red coloration is the result of the presence of sulfur which oxidizes the ivory from red to a dark reddish brown or a honey-is brown.
I find the T'boli bells interesting.
xasterix
15th October 2020, 03:15 AM
Xasterix, the Maguindanao pommel looks like aged Mother-of-Pearl in silver frames to me. I have seen it darken like this.
The other pommels are ivory. The red coloration is the result of the presence of sulfur which oxidizes the ivory from red to a dark reddish brown or a honey-is brown.
I find the T'boli bells interesting.
Thanks sir! Here are "raw" pre-restoration pics of the hawkbell-guard kris.
LJ
15th October 2020, 09:49 AM
A non-destructive test is to use an ultra-violet light (I bought one of these fairly cheaply at a local shop that sells electronics). Ivory has a distinctive blue sheen, which resin does not have: I recommend a bit of practice, shining the lamp on plastic, bone, etc. so you can see the effect.
Incidentally, horn shines light brown when lit by ultra-violet light. Which is a useful test if you can't decide whether something is made from horn or wood.
Rafngard
16th October 2020, 03:35 AM
You should definitely take Sajen's word over mine on everything!
Rafngard
16th October 2020, 03:36 AM
Thanks sir! Here are "raw" pre-restoration pics of the hawkbell-guard kris.
That is a really interesting piece. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.
Battara
17th October 2020, 06:21 AM
This again proves a lot of trade between Philippine groups. Fascinating isn't it?
xasterix
13th May 2021, 08:21 AM
Hello everyone...would like to ask your opinions on this pommel. I'm still in the process of restoring the rest of the kris, but I suspect this is ivory. Would appreciate your inputs, thanks!
Athanase
13th May 2021, 10:44 AM
It's clearly Elephant ivory. Very nice patina.
Sajen
13th May 2021, 11:21 AM
Agree!
xasterix
13th May 2021, 11:29 AM
Thanks very much gentlemen =)
jokrho
13th May 2021, 11:57 AM
Good day Gentlemen. Would like to ascertain as well if these two hilts are ivory, and if so, whether it be of marine (whale, manatee) or terrestrial (elephant, hippo) origin. Thanks in advance.
Job A.
David
13th May 2021, 04:34 PM
It's clearly Elephant ivory. Very nice patina.
Agreed. This is very clearly elephant ivory and the Schreger lines are quite evident.
As was mentioned earlier in this thread, only elephant ivory displays Schreger lines.
Technically speaking i don't believe sperm whale tooth is actually consider "ivory", though for general purposes it is often declared as "marine ivory" and displays many of the qualities of ivory.
Will M
13th May 2021, 08:07 PM
This link will clear any confusion and shows how to tell different ivory types and imitations.
https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/resources/pub/E-Ivory-guide.pdf
Athanase
13th May 2021, 08:26 PM
Good day Gentlemen. Would like to ascertain as well if these two hilts are ivory, and if so, whether it be of marine (whale, manatee) or terrestrial (elephant, hippo) origin. Thanks in advance.
Job A.
The first is elephante ivory. The second isn't elephant, maybe Dugong or Spermwhale or walrus.
Ren Ren
13th May 2021, 09:26 PM
This link will clear any confusion and shows how to tell different ivory types and imitations.
https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/resources/pub/E-Ivory-guide.pdf
Thank you! This is useful information.
jokrho
13th May 2021, 09:31 PM
The first is elephante ivory. The second isn't elephant, maybe Dugong or Spermwhale or walrus.
Thank you very much.
jokrho
13th May 2021, 09:32 PM
This link will clear any confusion and shows how to tell different ivory types and imitations.
https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/resources/pub/E-Ivory-guide.pdf
Cool! Thanks for this.
xasterix
11th April 2022, 08:39 AM
Greetings everyone. Just wondering if someone can help identify this ivory type on a kalis pomel. Thanks very much!
Sajen
11th April 2022, 09:58 AM
Hello Xas,
Looks like some sort of marine ivory. :shrug:
Regards,
Detlef
xasterix
11th April 2022, 10:18 AM
Hello Xas,
Looks like some sort of marine ivory. :shrug:
Regards,
Detlef
Thanks very much Detlef!
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.