Ivory Collection (#11)

Hunting Sword with Scabbard, German, possibly Munich, ca. 1740

Bringing ivory to the wagons, South Africa, c. 1863
Engraving from a sketch by Thomas Baines, made while travelling in South Africa with explorer and elephant hunter James Chapman in around 1862-3

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington: Ivory tankard, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. Tankard, mounted in silver-gilt, the drum richly carved with a mythological subject, the Marriage of Jupiter and Juno, &c.: on the cover

Tankard presented to the Nottingham (Robin Hood) Rifle Corps by the Duke of St. Albans, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Tankard presented to the Nottingham (Robin Hood) Rifle Corps by the Duke of St. Albans, 1864. A handsome tankard has been manufactured at Coventry by the Skidmore Art-Manufactures Company for

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington: Stag's horn ewer, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. Ewer, in stag's horn, mounted and inlaid with ivory, most elaborately and minutely carved in many compartments with hunting-subjects; apparently

A super blood blue moon is seen during an eclipse behind an elephant statue at a temple
A " super blood blue moon" is seen during an eclipse behind an elephant statue at a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A super blood blue moon is seen behind an elephant statue during an eclipse at a temple
A " super blood blue moon" is seen behind an elephant statue during an eclipse at a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

An elephant family silhouetted with an acacia tree on the horizon, Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa

Bull African elephant washing at a waterhole, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa

Black and white photo bull African elephant walking in the setting sun, Serengeti, Tanzania

A group of bull African elephants congregate around a waterhole, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Large male African elephant giving himself a dust bath, Serengeti, Tanzania

Ckose up of African Elephant trunk in waterhole, Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa

Black and white of elephants in Amboseli, Kenya

Elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro at dawn, Amboseli, Kenya

Amboseli Park, Kenya, Africa Closeup of a male elephant. Photo in black and white

Amboseli Park, Kenya, Africa A family of elephants crossing the lake in the dry Amboseli park during sunset

Wild elephant playing with sand and mud, Botswana, Africa

African ivory trade, 1800s
Ivory trader in an African village, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Large African Elephant. Bull. Zambezi River, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, Africa. 3ME252
TOM-828 Large African Elephant - Bull in water Zambezi River, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, Africa Loxodonta africana Tom & Pat Leeson Please note that prints are for personal display purposes

Waist pendant, 18th century (ivory)
1070852 Waist pendant, 18th century (ivory) by African School, (18th century); 20.32x12.07x6.35 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

1069919; out of copyright

Cabinet, c.1680-1700 (mahogany, mother-of-pearl, ivory & tortoiseshell)
1070716 Cabinet, c.1680-1700 (mahogany, mother-of-pearl, ivory & tortoiseshell) by Spanish School, (17th century); 259.08x227.33x66.04 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas

An abstract image from a low angle of elephants as they walk from Hwange national Park to Chobe National Park, Botswana An abstract image from a low angle of elephants as they walk from Hwange

Mid Mod Cherry Red
Kristian Gallagher

Pale Redhead
Jan Slotboom

Elephants leaving watering hole. Camelthorn Lodge. Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe

Herd of elephants at watering hole enjoying the plentiful water as drink and showers. Camelthorn Lodge. Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe

Elephants at watering hole enjoying the plentiful water as drink and showers. Camelthorn Lodge. Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe

Elephant mom and calf. Camelthorn Lodge. Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe

Loxodonta
Lord Amihere

Slate & Ivory Abstract Shape Play
Aislinn Simmonds

Africa Elephant texture pattern
Carlo Kaminski

Earth's giant
Dr. Zahi Ben-Aroya

Ivory tusk warehouse, London Date: late 19th century

Ivory tusk warehouse, London, Victorian period Date: late 19th century

Africa Ivory store in Mandala pre-1900

Fort Johnston, Lake Nyasa, Nyasaland, Africa now Malawi
Ivory to be sent to London, Victorian period. The location is Fort Johnston, Lake Nyasa, Nyasaland, Africa now Malawi

Africa. The Congo. Herd of elephants
History of Africa. 19th century. Herd of elephants. Engraving. El Congo y la Creacion del Estado Independiente de este nombre

Africa. Congo. Ivory porters
History of Africa. 19th century. Ivory porters. Engraving. El Congo y la Creacion del Estado Independiente de este nombre

My Son
A portrait ivory painting of a young boy standing proudly, identified as the son of the artist, Bess Norriss Tait. Date: circa 1918

RMS Titanic - ivorine letter opener
RMS Titanic - unusual ivorine letter opener, with the liner depicted on one side and her details on the other

The Ivory Castle Board Game, produced by Gibbs Dentifrice toothpaste Date: 1935

Rules for The Ivory Castle Board Game, based around dental health, produced by Gibbs Dentifrice toothpaste Date: 1935

Advert for Imperial Leather Soap, featuring a Louis XV Vernis Martin fan once owned by Catherine the Great. Date: 1954

Extraordinary view of an entire floor of ivory in a huge warehouse, a portion of the ivory came from Asia, but the better bulk was imported from Africa

Bronze sculpture of a WWI British trooper
Bronze sculpture of a First World War British trooper astride his horse.Born in Paris 26.11.1871, he learned the techniques of Sculpture from his father

Ivory Cavers Workshop 1908
Two Japanese men carefully carving into ivory making figure to sell. Date: 1908

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"Ivory: A Tale of Elegance and Controversy" Ivory, a precious material with a rich history, has captivated civilizations for centuries. From the majestic ivory mask worn by the Oba of Benin during ceremonial occasions in Nigeria to the painted plaque depicting Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun in an enchanting garden, it has been cherished as a symbol of beauty and power. In Africa's vast wilderness, a large African elephant gracefully feeds along the edge of the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park. Its magnificent tusks remind us of the allure that ivory holds. Walking beside this gentle giant are three more African elephants, forming an awe-inspiring line that echoes their ancient presence on this continent. The significance extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. Ancient Phoenician traders recognized its value and traded it across ports, connecting cultures through commerce. Even renowned artists like Sarah Goodridge immortalized its elegance in her masterpiece "Beauty Revealed, " showcasing how they are reveal true beauty. However, alongside admiration comes controversy. The burning fire consumes over 105 tonnes of confiscated ivory and one tonne of rhino horn—a powerful statement against illegal wildlife trade that threatens these magnificent creatures' existence. Yet amidst these conflicting narratives lies another tale from history—the intricate diptych featuring Stilicho on one side—an artifact crafted from exquisite ivory craftsmanship dating back centuries ago. Similarly, Ivory played a role even at royal weddings—like the iconic 1947 ceremony where bride and bridesmaid dresses exuded opulence fit for royalty. Beyond artistry and celebrations lie other intriguing uses for this remarkable material—a girl engrossed in reading while sitting before an oil painting titled "Girl Reading" showcases how even everyday objects can be transformed into works of art using delicate carved ivories as seen throughout history. Even firearms bear witness to the allure of ivory; such is evident in the cased Colt Dragoon Model 1848 revolver from England.