Elephant Molar?

Battara · 11th September 2006, 06:33 PM

Yes, Bill, there is a Santa.....Oh sorry.

Yes this is fossil elephant molar ivory. Some care should be shown in that it flakes easily and is more a little more subseptable to cracking than regular ivory due to the different layers. Otherwise, it is fine stuff (unless carving it

).

BSMStar · 11th September 2006, 07:28 PM

My guess is that it is made from Mammoth tooth material. Its a beauty!

Mammoth tooth fossils (yes it is a fossil and not ivory) may not be as old as other "elephant" types like the Mastodon, so the degree of fossilization can vary... they tend to be very brittle (even almost glass like), so I would protect it from impact and you will want to be very careful about how tight you keep the hilt on the keris (snug, but not real tight... or crack)....

http://www.150.si.edu/150trav/discover/d123a.htm

http://www.tellmewhereonearth.com/im...0TOOTH%202.jpg

http://www.acnatsci.org/museum/jeffe...mammuthus.html

11th September 2006, 07:28 PM	#2
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Sweet! My guess is that it is made from Mammoth tooth material. Its a beauty! Mammoth tooth fossils (yes it is a fossil and not ivory) may not be as old as other "elephant" types like the Mastodon, so the degree of fossilization can vary... they tend to be very brittle (even almost glass like), so I would protect it from impact and you will want to be very careful about how tight you keep the hilt on the keris (snug, but not real tight... or crack).... http://www.150.si.edu/150trav/discover/d123a.htm http://www.tellmewhereonearth.com/im...0TOOTH%202.jpg http://www.acnatsci.org/museum/jeffe...mammuthus.html

11th September 2006, 06:33 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,339	Yes, Bill, there is a Santa.....Oh sorry. Yes this is fossil elephant molar ivory. Some care should be shown in that it flakes easily and is more a little more subseptable to cracking than regular ivory due to the different layers. Otherwise, it is fine stuff (unless carving it ).