Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

T. Koch · 5th October 2013, 05:12 AM

Hi Archer and thanks for sharing your khanjar!

I just want to make clear that the ivory of no other animal except that of the elephant family (Proboscideae exhibit the structural characteristics known as Schreger's lines. The presence of these are always an indicator of proboscidean ivory.

There is also no way of visually destinguishing Asian from African ivory, Certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light will tell you if you're dealing with ivory or not, but it will not tell you which kind. It might be possible through Infrared Spectroscopy, but I am not sure an will have to check my notes.

All the best, - Thor

5th October 2013, 05:12 AM	#14
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	Hi Archer and thanks for sharing your khanjar! I just want to make clear that the ivory of no other animal except that of the elephant family (Proboscideae exhibit the structural characteristics known as Schreger's lines. The presence of these are always an indicator of proboscidean ivory. There is also no way of visually destinguishing Asian from African ivory, Certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light will tell you if you're dealing with ivory or not, but it will not tell you which kind. It might be possible through Infrared Spectroscopy, but I am not sure an will have to check my notes. All the best, - Thor