Overview

Ivory has been held in the highest esteem for millennia. This comprehensive and authoritative study of this beautiful and versatile material provides a global history of ivory – from the myths and beliefs held by prehistoric man, through its utilitarian uses in the Arctic and the beautiful carvings in medieval Europe, to its links with war, the slave trade, and religion. Covering in detail its composition and unique properties, its sources in the animal kingdom and their conservation status, the book demonstrates how ageing and the different types of ivory and its imitations can be tested for and identified with confidence. Ivory also explores how it has been worked by craftsmen and used over the years, from carving and marquetry to the manufacture of black paint, as well as the methods employed. Sound advice and useful tips are provided on caring for ivory and on how to deal with ivory that has been damaged, for example, by stains, scratches, cracks, or dirt. Lavishly illustrated throughout with colour photographs, Ivory is an invaluable guide for collectors, antique dealers, curators, gemmologists, conservationists and frequenters of flea markets, as well as those who simply love this attractive material.

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9780719800535

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Maggie Campbell Pedersen is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, and an Associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography. For many years she has specialised in organic gem materials - that is, those of plant or animal origin - where her work includes identification, teaching, writing and research. She has given lectures and seminars world-wide and is a regular contributor to gemmological publications. Thanks to her interest in conservation she has also spent time as a research assistant in various parts of the world, working with endangered species such as elephants and marine turtles, from which ivory and tortoiseshell were derived.

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