ivory

Also known as slonovina, elephant ivory

thumb|11th-century Italian carved elephant tusk, [[Louvre.]] thumb|Cylindrical ivory casket, Siculo-Arabic, Hunt Museum.

AI overview

Ivory is a hard, smooth material from the tusks of elephants and other animals that craftspeople throughout history have carved into decorative objects and artwork. It matters today primarily because the ivory trade has driven elephants toward extinction, making ivory a symbol of wildlife conservation efforts and international trade restrictions.

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P8168: Oluwafemi Ajilore
Commons category: Ivory

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~20 min read

Article

15 sections

Contents

Uses
Consumption before plastics
Mechanical characteristics
Availability
Controversy and conservation issues
Alternatives
Fossil mammoth tusks
Fossil walrus ivory
Elk ivory
Synthetic ivory
Nuts
Gallery
See also
References
External links

thumb|11th-century Italian carved elephant tusk, [[Louvre.]] thumb|Cylindrical ivory casket, Siculo-Arabic, Hunt Museum.

Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentin, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is the same, regardless of the species of origin, but ivory contains structures of mineralised collagen. The trade in certain teeth and tusks other than elephant is well established and widespread; therefore, "ivory" can correctly be used to describe any mammalian teeth or tusks of commercial interest which are large enough to be carved or scrimshawed.