Mammoth Ivory - Undying Beauty
Author: Anita Satin Choudhary

Woolly Mammoths were present during the last Ice age but
perished due to the changing environments, when the climate
became warmer. The exceptionally long tusks that reached 16 feet
and there have been many instances of artifacts and figurines
sculpted out of mammoth ivory. Mammoth ivory is still available
in Siberia and arctic regions and there are expert sculptures,
who carve intricate details in tusks- netsuke, figurines, whole
tusks and inlay work in other mediums. The ban on elephant ivory
gave impetus to higher demand of mammoth ivory. Differentiating
between elephant ivory and mammoth ivory is difficult but not
impossible. Polishing and finishing on the ivory adds to the
beautiful glow on the object.

Woolly Mammoths were present during the last Ice age but
perished due to the changing environments, when the climate
became warmer. With huge tusks and woolly hair on the body to
protect them from the ice cold atmosphere, they were probably
unable to adapt themselves to the warm climate, post Ice Age.

The exceptionally long tusks that reached 16 feet and there
have been many instances of artifacts and figurines sculpted out
of mammoth ivory. It has been carved since the early times and
beautiful pieces of mammoth sculpture can be seen in different
museums all over the world. The fossilized remains of the woolly
mammoth are used and tusks are the most prized possessions,
which are sold at extremely high prices due to the limited
supply available in the world.

Mammoth ivory is still available in Siberia and arctic regions
and there are expert sculptures, who carve intricate details in
tusks- netsuke, figurines, whole tusks and inlay work in other
mediums. Some of the inlay work can be seen in wood, brass and
other materials to make beautiful, stunning objects d'art. Some
artists use it to create beautiful beads, pendants and necklaces
while sculptors use this medium to create decorative items and
beautiful netsuke.

The ban on elephant ivory gave impetus to higher demand of
mammoth ivory. As the animal Woolly Mammoth is extinct today but
lived 10,000 to 40,000 years ago, it is legal all over the
world. You might find it a little expensive but it's definitely
not unaffordable. The price of the objects depends upon its
limited availability, difficulty in procurement and the carving
done on the figurine. As it is eco friendly, fossil remains the
demand for uniqueness and beauty has saved the ivory carvers
from losing out on livelihood and expertise.

Differentiating between elephant ivory and mammoth ivory is
difficult but not impossible. As mammoth ivory has deposits of
iron phosphate, it appears to glow as purplish under UV (ultra
violet) light while under a powerful microscope, a specialist
can make out the difference in the angles of the cross section
of both the ivories.

It has become a sought after commodity in the world of valuable
sculptures and carvings. The flexibility of the material has
been utilized in form of jewelry, sculptures, tusk carvings,
inlay in wood and making exotic netsuke. It is able to retain
the luster while the sculptor brings out the rich, creamy white
color from the raw brown tusk. Polishing and finishing on the
ivory adds to the beautiful glow on the object.


About The Author: Anita Satin Choudhary writes for Ivory and
Art Gallery. Browse the gallery for unique collection of
artifacts ranging from http://www.ivoryandart.com mammoth ivory
to http://www.ivoryandart.com Ivory netsuke.