Chambers's journal of popular literature, science, and art, fifth series, no. 122, vol. III, May 1, 1886Various
History
Chambers's journal of popular literature, science, and art, fifth series, no. 122, vol. III, May 1, 1886
Various
Periodicals
Turning from the sources and sale of ivory, we next have some very
interesting facts relating to its manufacture. The experienced eye
is quick to discern the value of a lot of ivory, when—which is
essential—it is guided by a knowledge of the country from which it
comes. It is also said that the electric light is beginning to be used
to test the soundness of the tusks. There is just now great anxiety as
to the future supply of ivory. The stocks in public warehouses are
smaller than for many years past, and the rapid increase in prices is
causing great anxiety to manufacturers. At a recent sale at Liverpool,
the best African ivory sold by the ton at over twelve shillings and
sixpence per pound. This will explain the fact that the principal
factor in the value of the best table cutlery is the handle. When the
ivory comes into the hands of the cutler, much skill is required to
make the most of the precious material, and every scrap is turned to
account. After cutting out the scales of all sizes for pocket-knives,
and the solid handles for table cutlery, the small pieces are usually
sold to the button-makers, or maybe made into ‘pearls.’ These latter
are the small pieces of ivory, pearl, or horn inserted into the handles
of tea and coffee pots as non-conductors of heat, and are so called
because they were originally made of pearl. The fine sawdust is sold
for fertilising purposes, for the manufacture of gelatine, and for
making a fine white sizing used in the manufacture of lace curtains and
other fabrics. The refuse still remaining goes to the makers of ivory
black. The proportion of this residuum is about fifteen pounds to the
hundredweight, and sells at from sixteen to twenty pounds per ton. Many
efforts have been made to devise some method for the solidification
of ivory dust, but as yet without success. Great skill is required
in the cutting of ivory, as of wood, to bring out the beauty of the
grain. The saw of the cutter occasionally reveals a rifle-ball that
has been lodged in the tusk, and that has been completely covered over
by subsequent growth. About one-third the length of the tusk, where
it enters the head of the elephant, is hollow. This hollow, when the
tusk is in place upon the live animal, is filled with a soft pulp or
core, which supplies the growth of the tusk. A ball lodged in this
core will in time be imbedded in the solid ivory. This hollow portion
is cut off and sold separately, except the thinnest portion, as bangle
ivory, and is in great demand for bangles or ornamental rings for the
ankles and arms of Indian and African women. That portion of the tusk
towards the point is usually more solid and of finer grain. This is cut
off and sold by itself at high prices under the name of billiard-ball
points. Small teeth of from ten to fifteen pounds-weight are called
in the trade ‘scrivelloes.’ The points of these small tusks are used
in their natural state for making handles for expensive carving sets
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