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Submitted: 649 days and 3 hours ago.

Category: General

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Optional Information:
Male, Age: 44, California

Already Tried:
this is about what is eating my ivory not my health.

Accepted Answer

Hello,

I am wondering if perhaps your ivory is becoming dry, thus becoming brittle and prone to cracking which lends to the appearance that an insect or other parasite is boring into it.

It would be helpful if you provided me with detailed information as to precisely what you see.

You should assure that your ivory pieces are hydrated twice a year by wrapping them in a soft white cloth soaked in pure mineral oil. Allow the ivory to remain wrapped in a dye-free oiled cloth for about eight hours. After unwrapping the antique ivory piece, carefully wipe off any excess mineral oil with another soft white cloth.

The temperature and humidity level at which you store your ivory is an integral aspect to it's care and longevity. Low relative humidity causes desiccation, shrinkage and cracking, while high relative humidity can cause warping and swelling. Heat fluctuations induce similar expansion and contraction that can cause fissures in the ivory.

i performed an extensive search and found no information related to insects that destroy ivory.

Click on the link below to learn more. Let me know if you have questions.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/37053/cleaning_antique_ivory.html

http://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/ivory.html

Accepts:
Expert:	Deborah
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	2/13/2008

Research Analyst

Past President of City Garden Club, Hobbies of Gardening, Mom/Grandma, International Cooking

648 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

Hi, no these are not cracks, is there a way i can
send you pictures of the damage? You really should
see it for yourself.

Posted by Deborah 648 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

Yes, you can send the photos either via a link in your reply or by sending them in an attachment via email to customer service at

XXXX@XXXXXXXXXX.XXX.

The pictures will then be forwarded to me. i should mention that my husband is from England and has several family members that reside in South Africa. I have emailed two of them to ask them if they have heard of such an insect as they are involved with a business that has dealings with several wild game reserves. If I find anything out, I shall of course let you know. Due to the time difference, we might need to give this a day or two.

648 days and 6 hours ago.

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648 days and 6 hours ago.

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I dont know what did this to the ivory tusk, but it destroyed the value a great deal,If not compleatly.

Posted by Deborah 647 days and 18 hours ago.

Answer

I was unable to view your photos, but as I am a collector of antiques I frequent several reputable dealers here in the San Francisco Bay area and also in the UK.

I stopped in to chat with one of these dealers yesterday and made an inquiry regarding this problem as I am also curious. He asked that you provide more details related to where this piece was purchased or obtained, the age of the piece and any other pertinent information you feel would be helpful.His first inclination is that your piece may not actually be ivory.

He went on to mention that ivory is a fine, durable material. However, if not taken care of properly it, with age, starts to develop small cracks on the surface and will also discolor. He stated the only enemies of ivory that he is aware of are excessive dryness and extremes of temperature.

I then called my Aunt in Florida who has recently retired after 63 years in the antique business in NYC and the UK. She went on to provide me with the email address of a reputable ivory restoration specialist, Ron Fromkin. She has stated if anyone knows, this gentleman should. Additionally, she mentioned you could ship your piece to him for authenticity and restoration. He is a known specialist in ivory pieces from all over the world.

The Japanese Repository
7705 Northwest 18th Court
Margate, Florida 33063

XXXXXXXXXXX@XXXXX.XXX

Click on the link to view his repair photos and go to his website.

http://www.ivoryrepair.com/previous_repairs2.html

http://www.ivoryrepair.com/
I am so intrigued by your question, I will see what else I can discover.I will check back.

Edited by Deborah on 2/14/2008 at 10:40 AM

647 days and 12 hours ago.

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647 days and 12 hours ago.

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647 days and 12 hours ago.

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647 days and 12 hours ago.

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THE AREA OF DAMAGE IS ABOUT TWO INCHES LONG.

Posted by Deborah 647 days and 8 hours ago.

Answer

I would forward the photos in an email to the ivory restoration specialist down in FL, Ron Fromkin.

I noticed you are in Chino. I am in the East Bay and will see if there are any ivory restoration experts here in CA.

I will see what else I can come with.

644 days and 10 hours ago.

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Reply to Deborah's Post: I sent ron the pictures,I waiting to hear back from him. Thank you!

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Optional Information: Male, Age: 44, CaliforniaAlready Tried: this is about what is eating my ivory not my health.

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Hi, no these are not cracks, is there a way i can send you pictures of the damage? You really should see it for yourself.

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View Full Image View Full Image

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I dont know what did this to the ivory tusk, but it destroyed the value a great deal,If not compleatly.

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View Full Image

Reply

View Full Image

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View Full Image

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THE AREA OF DAMAGE IS ABOUT TWO INCHES LONG.

Answer

I would forward the photos in an email to the ivory restoration specialist down in FL, Ron Fromkin. I noticed you are in Chino. I am in the East Bay and will see if there are any ivory restoration experts here in CA. I will see what else I can come with.

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Reply to Deborah's Post: I sent ron the pictures,I waiting to hear back from him. Thank you!

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Optional Information:
Male, Age: 44, California

Already Tried:
this is about what is eating my ivory not my health.

Hi, no these are not cracks, is there a way i can
send you pictures of the damage? You really should
see it for yourself.

View Full Image

View Full Image

I would forward the photos in an email to the ivory restoration specialist down in FL, Ron Fromkin.

I noticed you are in Chino. I am in the East Bay and will see if there are any ivory restoration experts here in CA.

I will see what else I can come with.