For the most part, the trade in ivory is highly regulated and specimens are rare on the market in spite of new stock occasionally becoming available by legal means. Since not all of the legal ivory really came by ethical methods, the only way to be sure of humane sourcing is to buy antique ivory instead. These old items are fairly abundant, and purchasing them reduces demand for fresh sources.
In fact, antique ivory includes some of the most beautiful works of art using natural materials that history provides. In the past, there were skilled craftspeople who worked ivory while modern workers of ivory seem to be located in Africa and Asia. Antique items can be gorgeous and exquisitely crafted. Antiques are usually European in origin but occasionally come from old African and oriental workers.
There is some caution that must be taken when obtaining foreign artwork is that some of it might have been ceremonial or religious work. The concern for cultural disrespect aside, older work in ivory tends to be a piece of history while more recent products are more like factory products unless worked by an extremely skilled craftsperson.
Ivory does not come exclusively from elephants but also from marine mammals. Other than elephants, Narwhales have the largest tusks among mammals. When it was legal to hunt these animals, the ivory was carved into gorgeous ornaments and private cutlery dishes. All these ivory objects are old, have a fair amount of history, and often originated with interest wealthy families who bought ivory objects as a luxury.
Ivory was indeed a luxury, as most sources were exotic imports in an age when ships still used sails. Demand was also a driver of price as plastic did not yet exist as a reasonable substitute. Ivory was sturdy but soft enough to carve. For the average person, the only substitute for imported ivory was the bones of livestock and the tusks of pigs. These bones are much harder to carve than elephant ivory.
It is also interesting to note that a lot of antique ivory also came from Siberia. The cold north is home to the remains of long death mammoths, and their ivory tends to be larger than that of elephants. This trade in mammoth ivory actually began in the 19th century and is responsible for much of the available supply. This is one more reason why antique ivory is the most humane and interesting source.
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