Is this a whale's tooth?

harrywagner · 4th January 2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henk

Ivory?

Maybe. Here is what professor Google says:

Thirty teeth of the sperm whale can be used for ivory. Each of these teeth, up to 8" long and 3" across, are hollow for the first half of their length. Sperm whale ivory is easily confused with walrus ivory, as both have two distinct layers. The inner layer of sperm whale ivory, however, is much larger.

I don't think it is bone, but I could be mistaken.

Rick · 4th January 2016, 08:44 PM

Bone.
Let's see the end of the handle.
The dentine of Walrus is very different from Sperm Whale dentine.

A. G. Maisey · 4th January 2016, 08:55 PM

Bone or de-natured antler. Not whales tooth.

harrywagner · 4th January 2016, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Bone.
Let's see the end of the handle.
The dentine of Walrus is very different from Sperm Whale dentine.

Hopefully this is good enough for a positive ID. The lighting in my home office is not very good. Thanks for the help!

Rick · 4th January 2016, 09:49 PM

If bone I'd expect to see a porous end on this handle. Of course these handles are sometimes capped with an insert, but I can't make one out.

harrywagner · 4th January 2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

If bone I'd expect to see a porous end on this handle. Of course these handles are sometimes capped with an insert, but I can't make one out.

Thank you for trying. I can't identify it either. The size and shape made me think it might be a tooth. Keep in mind that I would not know one if it bit me! I have only been collecting a couple of years and am reasonably certain I have never held a piece of ivory before. I won't rule bone out. It looks worn down and seems old. Any suggestions for an age? Thanks again for the help!

Happy new year!
Harry

Battara · 5th January 2016, 12:39 AM

Tooth of just about any animal does not have the type of striations that this has. These striations belong to bone. Some bone chosen does not have ends that are not so porous, depending upon the cut of bone.

Besides, whale tooth is grayer in color with layers.

My vote: bone (or less likely antler).

harrywagner · 5th January 2016, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Tooth of just about any animal does not have the type of striations that this has. These striations belong to bone. Some bone chosen does not have ends that are not so porous, depending upon the cut of bone.

Besides, whale tooth is grayer in color with layers.

My vote: bone (or less likely antler).

Many thanks to yourself, Vandoo, Rick and others. I will put this one down as bone. I appreciate the help, and am fine with it being bone. I like this one. The hilt is worn enough that it feels incredibly smooth. I am guessing it has some age. Do you think I would be way off to think it is early 20h?

VANDOO · 4th January 2016, 08:53 PM

MY BEST GUESS FROM THE PICTURES IS BONE OR ANTLER. SPERM WHALE TEETH DON'T HAVE PORES AND ARE USUALLY OF A UNIFORM SMOOTHNESS AND COLOR. KERIS HANDLES ARE OFTEN MADE FROM ANTLER OR BONE THOUGH IVORY IS SOMETIMES USED, MOST I HAVE SEEN AND COULD IDENTIFY WERE ELEPHANT IVORY. NICE REGARDLESS AND THESE DAYS ITS BETTER NOT TO RUN A-FOUL OF THE FOUL IVORY LAWS THAT BAN EVERYTHING REGARDLESS OF AGE AND ORIGIN.

4th January 2016, 08:44 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Bone. Let's see the end of the handle. The dentine of Walrus is very different from Sperm Whale dentine.

4th January 2016, 08:55 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	Bone or de-natured antler. Not whales tooth.

4th January 2016, 09:49 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	If bone I'd expect to see a porous end on this handle. Of course these handles are sometimes capped with an insert, but I can't make one out.

5th January 2016, 12:39 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	Tooth of just about any animal does not have the type of striations that this has. These striations belong to bone. Some bone chosen does not have ends that are not so porous, depending upon the cut of bone. Besides, whale tooth is grayer in color with layers. My vote: bone (or less likely antler).

4th January 2016, 08:53 PM	#9
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	MY BEST GUESS FROM THE PICTURES IS BONE OR ANTLER. SPERM WHALE TEETH DON'T HAVE PORES AND ARE USUALLY OF A UNIFORM SMOOTHNESS AND COLOR. KERIS HANDLES ARE OFTEN MADE FROM ANTLER OR BONE THOUGH IVORY IS SOMETIMES USED, MOST I HAVE SEEN AND COULD IDENTIFY WERE ELEPHANT IVORY. NICE REGARDLESS AND THESE DAYS ITS BETTER NOT TO RUN A-FOUL OF THE FOUL IVORY LAWS THAT BAN EVERYTHING REGARDLESS OF AGE AND ORIGIN.