IVORY FOR POMMEL

[tanaruz]

Hello,

This is supposed to be a sperm whale tooth. Purchased from a seller who informed us that it came from tawi-tawi, from way way back.

My plan, if indeed this is sperm whale tooth, is to use it as a pommel to an old barung or kris (which has no pommel).

I've done some reading and this specimen conforms (in my unexpert opinion) to ivory. The ff are some things I have read on ivory's characteristics:

a) ivory always has parallel grain, like rings on a tree or crosshatch pattern called Schreger lines. On closer inspection, this tooth has both parallel and crosshatch patters.

b) in contrast to bone, ivory has a smooth feel.

Thanks in advance for you inputs.

Regards

Yves