Ivory Collection (#60)

SOUTH AFRICA: IVORY TRADE. Bringing Ivory to the Waggons in South Africa. Wood engraving from an English newspaper of 1868

AFRICA: IVORY TRADE. African porters transporting elephant tusks from the interior to the coast. Wood engraving, c1875

IVORY TRADE CARD, 1771. Trade card for Isaac Greenwood, Jr. instrument maker, ivory tuner, and hardware importer of Boston, Massachusetts, engraved by Paul Revere in 1771

IVORY TRADE, c1875. African porters transporting ivory tusks from the interior to coastal markets: colored engraving, c1875

IVORY TRADE, 1868. The elephant ivory trade in South Africa: English colored engraving, 1868

You need only one soap - Ivory soap. Poster shows a pioneer washing with Ivory soap at his campsite. Date c1898

Ivory vase decorated with lacquer. Drawing shows a vase, decorated with birds and tree branches, sitting on a stand. Date 1878 Dec

Cutting Ivory Handles with a Circular Saw at a Sheffield Ste
A man cuts ivory knife handles using a belt-driven circular saw at a Sheffield steel works. Two large tusks are at his side. Date: 1844

The Princess Royals dressing case, a wedding gift to the bride from the Duchess of Kent, on the occasion of Victoria(Vicky)s marriage to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858

Advert for Asprey cigarette cases
Asprey of Bond Street displaying a wide variety of Christmas present ideas for the woman, including lots of cigarette cases, cigarette holder, vanity case and powder boxes. Date: 1930

Cigarette Accessories

Ancient ships in a Roman seaport
An ancient Roman ships in a Roman seaport. Mercury, messenger of the gods and god of commerce, oversees proceedings from atop a column in the harbour

Making Brushes 1930S
These women are fixing bristles into ivory hairbrush handles. Date: February 1933

The Ivory tusks of the African Elephant from Botswana

African Elephant rests his trunk as he crosses a small river at Savuti Lodge in Botswana

African Male Elephant musk grand

African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) dead adult, killed by poachers, Tsavo, Kenya, september 1980

African Elephant drinking at Botswana water hole near Savuti

Aggressive ear flapping African Elephant threatens from Botswana bush

Cattle Egrets hunt for insects that this group of African Elephants disturb

Family goup of African Elephants with Cattle Egrets looking for insects to feed on

A male African Elephant - Botswana

The Ivory tusk of the African Elephant from Botswana

African Elephant face showing small eye and eyelashes

African Male Elephant with Cattle egrets who are looking for insect to feed on. Note the musk grand on the elephants head

two African Elephants fight at small river cross Savuti Botswana

Stone Age skeletons and mammoth ivory. The mammoth ivory decorations are in the mouth of the skeleton in the foreground, and in the ornaments on this skeleton and the one in the background

1863 Lartet Prehistoric symbolic carving
Plate from Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy " Reliquiae Aquitanicae" 1865-1875. Williams and Norgate, London, 1875

1865 Carved mammoth tusk, human antiquity
Lithograph of a mammoth carved on mammoth ivory from the French Perigord. Published and first announced in 1865 in the " Annales des Sciences Naturelles" Volume 4

1863 Lartet Prehistoric barbed harpoons
Plate from Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy " Reliquiae Aquitanicae" 1865-1875. Williams and Norgate, London, 1875

1868 Prehistoric Cromagnon necklace vignt
Chromolithograph of perforated Cromagnon 30, 000 ybp ornaments (shell, ivory). Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy. " Reliquiae Aquitanicae" 1865-1875, Williams and Norgate, London 1875

1863 Lartet Prehistoric animal carving
Plate from Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy " Reliquiae Aquitanicae" 1865-1875. Williams and Norgate, London, 1875

Ivory, SEM
Ivory. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a fractured elephant tusk, which is the source of ivory. In ivory and teeth, there is an inner pulp cavity surrounded by dentine (purple)

ASSYRIAN JUG. Jug made of ivory. From Nimrud, Assyria. 9th-8th century B. C
ASSYRIAN JUG. Jug made of ivory. From Nimrud, Assyria. 9th-8th century B.C

BAPTISM OF CLOVIS I, 496 A. D. St. Remi baptizing Clovis I as Queen Clotilda watches
BAPTISM OF CLOVIS I, 496 A.D. St. Remi baptizing Clovis I as Queen Clotilda watches. Detail from ivory diptych, 9th century

ST. PAUL. Ottonian ivory, 1030

PALEOLITHIC HARPOONS of bone, ivory and antler. Magdalenian, 9000 B. C
PALEOLITHIC HARPOONS of bone, ivory and antler. Magdalenian, 9000 B.C

HAWAII: MEDICINE POUNDER. Ivory medicine pounder used by King Kamehameha I (c1758-1819)

MOMBASA: IVORY TRADE. Buying ivory after its arrival from the interior at the coastal port of Mombasa, Kenya. Stereograph, c1900

Maserati A6G-54 2000GT

Africa, Tanzania, Tarangire National Park. African Elephant (loxodonta africana)

Africa, Botswana. Elephant (Loxodanta Africana)

Africa, Kenya, Amboseli National Park. African Elephant

Botswana, Moremi Game Reserve, Bull Elephant (Loxodonta africana) near Xakanaxa during dry season

Cutting ivory to make piano keys
A craftsman cuts (ethically harvested) ivory tusks in order to make piano keys

Petite woman in a summer dress from Selfridge s
A petite woman in a summer dress from Selfridges Salon for Petites department. It is in ivory with navy blue spots, and is ideal for Ascot. The price is 18 guineas

Thomas Cochrane at home
Major Thomas Cochrane is the fortunate owner of a beautiful villa, the Villa Reve d Or, at Cannes, where these photographs were taken

Masks from the Ivory Coast, one representing an Antelope. African masks such as these were to prove a fertile source of artistic influence to abstract artists (such as Picasso)

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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.