Wootz Jambiya

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

Unfortunately I am no expert on ivory. I had always assumed it was elephant. I am curious as to what it is that you guys have seen that makes you think it isn't elephant.

After a quick internet swat I think it is elephant as it has schreger lines. They are easy to see with the naked eye, but very difficult to photograph. You can just about see them on the lower lobe in the photo below. From the angles produced it almost looks like mammoth ivory?

With the help of the torch, I can see that the ivory behind the metal plate, although fractured appears to be all there.

Cheers,
Bryce

[Ian]

Hi Bryce,

Sounds like you have elephant ivory. I don't know how experienced you are as a photographer, but your picture seems to have too bright a light source to see anything in cross section. Looks like you took it in direct sunlight. I would suggest that you take a picture in even light and without a flash. Then use an image editing program such as Photoshop (or even Preview if you have a Mac) to adjust the exposure, contrast, saturation, etc. until you have an image that shows the lines to your satisfaction. I've found the "sharpen" feature in these programs can be very helpful for displaying Schreger lines and other fine details.

Ian.

[Bryce]

G'day Ian,

I am a hopeless photographer, so all advice is gratefully accepted.

Here are a few more shots of the hilt.

Cheers,
Bryce

[Battara]

I agree, these new pictures look like elephant (not mammoth) ivory.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

I agree, these new pictures look like elephant (not mammoth) ivory.

Yes, I agree as well!