IVORY.
This substance is certainly a most attractive one to the turner. Pure in color, hard, solid and strong beyond belief in texture or grain, it has the fewest disadvantages of any substance we use. It is easily dyed to any shade, and will hold it a long while. Either for jewelry, or rather for personal adornment, or articles of utility, it is well adapted, and but for the cost of it would be in general use. It is getting dearer and scarcer each year. The best comes from Ceylon, and that in least repute from African elephants; the former is said to be much stronger and more solid.
Of its general manipulation there is not much to be said, except that the workman will find it trying to the edge of his tools. In all respects it can be cut and turned like hard woods.
Fig. 74.
It is easily softened by immersion for a time in weak acid, so that its friability, toughness, or tendency to resist the carving tool, is destroyed, and this without injuring the goods, unless the acid is too strong.
As it is so expensive in general, it is well for the amateur to know that he can purchase it in all shapes, either in squares like [Fig. 74], or in flat, cord-like slips, from dealers in it. I will mention one person, F. Grote, 78 Fulton street, New York, who generally has a good assortment of this kind.
It is extremely convenient to find pieces of the exact size and shape one needs, and it is also economical, both in time and material, for all ivory must be sawed, and that is slow work where there are no facilities. After the article, whatever it may be, is turned, it may be either dyed, or polished in its natural color.