How to Fix Split Ivory
- Step 1. Slide on work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses to protect your skin, lungs and eyes.
- Step 2. Fit the broken or split piece of ivory together. Save any large chunks that may have broken off to use in the...
- Step 3. Measure and cut a piece of 0.0046-inch fiberglass cloth to fit on the back of the ivory -- fully covering the...
How do you repair broken ivory?
Take a few hours on the weekend to repair your broken ivory and save yourself time and money in the process. Slide on work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses to protect your skin, lungs and eyes. Fit the broken or split piece of ivory together.
What is the best way to handle ivory?
Handle ivory with white cotton gloves. If these are not available, wash your hands first with soap and water to remove hand oils and dirt. The best protection for an ivory object is a carefully controlled environment, both in terms of telative humidity (RH) and temperature.
Is the restoration of antique ivory worth it?
Its legs were broken and its front antenni have been replaced, the restoration of ivory is a little bit of controversial subject at the moment but that is partly because people like Mr Goad don't seem to be aware that the sale and restoration of antique items of ivory will not stop rich people from killing elephants. lost wax or investment casting.
Can split ivory be saved?
Repairs are essential in order to save split ivory. The main reason to take on a repair is to mitigate the cost of replacement. While prices for individual pieces of ivory may vary, prices are usually elevated due to high demand. An entire ivory tusk, according to "60 Minutes," was worth in excess of $4,000 on the global market in December 2008.
How do you glue ivory?
White glue, such as Elmer's, works in most cases, but epoxy works better for inserting ivory into flat grain wood. If the ivory and the object you would like to glue the ivory to are both smooth, CA glues work well. PVA resin glue works on most projects and tends to be stronger than white glue.
Can cracked ivory be repaired?
Cracks in ivory can be minimized, and in some cases they can be repaired almost to the point of invisibility, but no one can guarantee a totally invisible ivory crack repair.
How do you restore ivory?
Cut a lemon cleanly in half on a cutting board, using a sharp knife. ... Hold a lemon half in your hand and use the salted, exposed side to scrub your yellowed ivory item. ... Set the ivory item to the side to air dry. ... Soak a soft cloth in clean water and wring out the excess. ... Repeat the procedure if necessary.
What causes ivory to crack?
Ivory tends to shrink, swell, crack, split, and/or warp on exposure to extremes or fluctuations in relative humidity and temperature. Low relative humidity causes desiccation, shrinkage and cracking, while high relative humidity can cause warping and swelling.
How do you fix chipped ivory?
0:182:30Easy Piano Key Top Ivory Repair DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut a little steam on just this key if you have the key off the piano. And it'll loosen the glue upMorePut a little steam on just this key if you have the key off the piano. And it'll loosen the glue up but I just chipped it off this key over here I did that before it was also broken.
Can ivory be mended?
Over the years we have developed a very fine technique to repair ivory to perfection. Any type of ivory, no matter how old it is can be fixed by the studio. Below are some before / after photos of repairs we've done.
How can you tell what type of ivory you have?
Schreger Lines (Angles) The key feature to identifying elephant ivory is a unique pattern of crosshatching that appear in cross sections of elephant tusk. These lines, actually rows of microscopic tubes, are known as Schreger Lines; where they cross form Schreger Angles.
Does real ivory turn yellow?
With time, ivory darkens or turns yellow developing a patina coloring surface. This color change indicates ivory age with a subsequent effect on value. Applying chemical cleaners to alter the color makes the item lose value.
How much is vintage ivory worth?
The price currently paid for raw ivory is between $597 per kg and $689 per kg. Meanwhile, a single pound of ivory can sell for $3,300 and $200 an ounce.
Does ivory crack with age?
Ivory tends to yellow and split in the direction of the growth pattern over time, much like wood, the cracks often blackening with age.
What can I add to ivory?
To absorb any impurities, put activated charcoal (like the kind used in fish tanks) into a clean, unbleached, white cotton bag with your ivory piece. Wrap the ivory in acid-free tissue paper or cotton.
What is ivory worth?
That's a lot of money in most African countries. But the big profit is made in Asia. Thai Customs recently evaluated smuggled ivory as being worth $1,800 per kilogram—$18,000 per elephant—wholesale. The “street value” retail price of 10 kilograms of carved ivory now runs about $60,000.
What is ivory made of?
The term ivory refers to items made from walrus, hippopotamus, whale or elephant tusks or teeth. Ivory collectibles are usually composed of ivory plus a vegetable material with a similar density and texture.
What is ivory collectible?
Ivory collectibles are items that can surprise you after the initial grime is removed. Many of these items feature traces of gilding or paint that have worn over the years. To ensure your ivory collectibles are handled with care, trust Dean Schulefand & Associates with restoring and conserving your ivory collectibles.
Is ivory jewelry brittle?
Overcleaning, incorrect cleaning and no cleaning can all damage these items. Over time, ivory items tend to get very brittle, so they must be handled with care.
What is ivory used for?
Ivory is used in a variety or projects, including making or repairing cue sticks, piano keys, violin, viola, cello bows, and guitars. Working with ivory, however, can be difficult if you do not have the right products, methods and tools to safely and securely complete your project.
What are some things made of ivory?
The most common forms of ivory are those collected from walrus tusks, elephant tusks and mastodon or mammoth tusks. Ivory is used in a variety or projects, including making or repairing cue sticks, piano keys, violin, viola, cello bows, and guitars.
What glue to use to glue ivory to wood?
White glue, such as Elmer's, works in most cases, but epoxy works better for inserting ivory into flat grain wood. If the ivory and the object you would like to glue the ivory to are both smooth, CA glues work well. PVA resin glue works on most projects and tends to be stronger than white glue. Advertisement.
Why does ivory bleach?
Ivory is very reactive to its environment. It bleaches when exposed to light but the most severe changes are linked to changes in relative humidity and temperature. Low relative humidity causes desiccation, shrinkage and cracking, while high relative humidity can cause warping and swelling.
What is the best temperature for ivory?
The best protection for an ivory object is a carefully controlled environment, both in terms of telative humidity (RH) and temperature. Ideal conditions are 45-55 % RH and approximately 70° F (21.11°C), with low light levels, at approximately 5 footcandles. Conditions should be kept constant; at the least, extreme conditions or rapid fluctuations should be avoided.
What is ivory made of?
It consists of dentine, made up of components which are both organic (to provide the capacity for growth and repair) and inorganic (to provide rigidity and strength).
Can ivory be yellowed?
Avoid using rubber-based materials for storage or packing as these can produce unnatural yellowing of ivory. For additional protection, the artifact may be wrapped in unbuffered, acid-free tissue paper, and stored in a sealed polyethylene (ziplock-type) bag.
Can ivory be stained?
Because it is porous, ivory is also susceptible to staining. It darkens in contact with the skin or oils and can be stained by corroding metals or other colored materials. Many liquids, including water and cleaning solutions, are destructive to ivory and should be avoided.
For the restoration of the subject below we had to remake missing hands, sections of rope and repair a broken hat all these repairs had to be undertaken in a fashion so that they cannot be observed by the human eye
The photograph below you can see the result of the finished carving, twigs from the basket were made hands and feet were made and the subjects were glued to the base.
18th century Chinese junk
We were asked to undertake the restoration of a fine 18th-century Chinese junk we received a pile of bits with many sections of ivory missing, as ivory is becoming rather a taboo subject around the world, and of course we don't want to see any more elephants killed, therefore we have to be very careful to source old ivory for the restoration work.
14th Century Romanesque Slate Table
This rather fine 14th century Romanesque slate table which would originally have been part of a floor in a rather grandiose Italian villa.
Very early 19th century ivory Indian figure
We are sometimes asked to undertake repairs on small ivory items. Unless you can provides us with old ivory that we can use, we will need to use a substitute. Here is an example of a recent repair of a broken ivory figure.
