Wootz Jambiya

Battara · 12th January 2018, 07:32 PM

Sometimes these are made of hippo ivory.

Sajen · 12th January 2018, 07:56 PM

Look more like walrus ivory to my eyes but I am unsure and ask Bryce.

Bryce · 13th January 2018, 04:00 AM

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 · 13th January 2018, 06:34 AM

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 · 13th January 2018, 09:10 PM

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 · 13th January 2018, 09:12 PM

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

Sajen · 13th January 2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

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

Yes, I agree as well!

12th January 2018, 07:32 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Sometimes these are made of hippo ivory. Last edited by Battara; 12th January 2018 at 11:37 PM.

13th January 2018, 04:00 AM	#3
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 187	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 Attached Images

13th January 2018, 09:10 PM	#5
Bryce Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Queensland, Australia Posts: 187	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 Attached Images

12th January 2018, 07:56 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Look more like walrus ivory to my eyes but I am unsure and ask Bryce.

13th January 2018, 06:34 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	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.

13th January 2018, 09:12 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I agree, these new pictures look like elephant (not mammoth) ivory.