IT IS GOOD TO SEE SOMEONE IS STILL CARVING IVORY SO THE SKILL WILL NOT BE LOST FOREVER. THE WORKMANSHIP IS NOT AS GOOD AS THE OLD MASTERS BUT THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. THE OLD MASTERS OF IVORY CARVING ARE PROBABLY GONE OR RETIRED LONG AGO. HOW MANY HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF CARVINGS WOULD IT TAKE TO MASTER THE MATERIAL TO CREATE SOME OF THE OLD MASTERPIECES OF IVORY ART? WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTION OF AN OLD MASTER AND A LOT OF NATURAL TALENT NEW MASTERS WILL BE HARD TO FIND. DUE TO THE EXPENSE AND DIFFICULTY OF GETTING LEGAL IVORY AND THE MINE FIELD OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS I DOUBT WE WILL EVER SEE A MASTERY OF WORKING IVORY AGAIN.
ALL IVORY IS HARD TO COME BY AND REGUALTED IN SOME PLACES AND NOT REGULATED IN OTHERS. LARGE STOCKPILES OF MANY TONS OF IVORY HAVE BEEN BURNED INSTEAD OF SOLD TO USE THE MONEY TO MANAGE AND PROTECT THE ANIMALS. I AM A ZOOLOGY MAJOR AND IT BRINGS ME SORROW TO SEE SO MANY THINGS REGULATED AND MANAGED SO POORLY. EMOTION WITH NO LOGIC NEVER LEADS TO A GOOD PLAN OR SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS BUT USUALLY CREATES MORE.
I LIKE ELEPHANTS AND OTHER CRITTERS AS WELL OR MORE THAN MOST BUT WHEN A CREATURE DIES I CAN'T SEE WASTEING THE RESOURCE.
THE CARVER DID SOMETHING I LIKED ON THE SECOND EXAMPLE HE LEFT A SPOT UNCARVED WHERE THE CENTER BULLSEYE PATTERN CAN BE SEEN (A NICE TOUCH). PERHAPS MY FAVORABLE POST WILL ENCOURAGE HIM TO RETURN AND COMMENT AS I DON'T CARE FOR THE DRIVE BY IT MAKES ME WONDER IF ITS A COMERCIAL LOOKING TO SELL SOMETHING, BUT I GIVE THE BENEFIT OF A DOUBT.
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