[Artemisia] Semi-OT: Ivory Test?

[Christina Homer]

Hello-

Genuine ivory has a grain to it, like wood. It will also most likely have a
beautiful aged coloring; like that of real butter (hence the name), & not
white or margerine yellow.  It will also not look like bone.

Good luck, it sounds as if you got a fun find regardless!

Doca Beatriz Pantoja de Las Mercedes

Christina 
"The whisper of a pretty girl can be heard farther than the roar of a lion."


> [Original Message]
> From: Dawn Tavares <dtavares1 at hotmail.com>
> To: <artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org>
> Date: 8/6/2007 4:00:51 PM
> Subject: [Artemisia] Semi-OT: Ivory Test?
>
> Fair cousins and artisans,
>
> Is there a simple, non-destructive way to test for ivory vs. plastic?
This 
> weekend I had the good fortune to pick up a baggie of wooden thread
winders 
> at a small antique shop. The bag also contained a short, decoratively
carved 
> bodkin and three of what look like simple thread spools for bobbin lace.
The 
> discoloration and wear patterns make me think they're genuine ivory.
>
> The tools look old enough to be Victorian, and Bakelite didn't come into 
> common use until the...1930s, I think. By then decorative handsewing and 
> lacemaking had fallen out of favor. So I'm reasonably certain, but I'd
like 
> to have some empirical data on my side.
>
> Whether ivory or plastic, I'm happy with my find. I picked up the whole 
> package for a buck(!).
>
> Warrrrr! **Shopping!!*
>
>
> Aurora de Portugal
> BLS