GrandpaSpragg@att.net
The Random House College Dictionary further describes a vegetable ivory called, "ivory nut", a South American low palm tree nut, "phytelephas macrocarpa", which yields a ivory like substance. Other palm trees nuts have similar characteristics.
Early man used ivory for tools, weapons, in transportation, furniture, adornment and wealth. He learned that ivory was harder and more durable than wood or bone. Possibly after a fire or accidental death of an ivory bearing mammal, he may have seen the scavengers clean the carcass of flesh leaving only the bones and ivory teeth. After awhile the bones would deteriorate or be gnawed upon by small animals securing the calcium that they required. Only the ivory remained. The ivory didn't burn and seemed to be indestructible. It didn't chip, crack or break as other materials. It was lighter than stone, easily worked with stone tools, and lasted indefinite.
He fashioned ivory scrapers for removal of flesh from hides and ivory needles for sewing these hides into clothing. He fashioned ivory knifes for cutting flesh. Ivory tools for digging up edible roots and fruits. Ivory fish hooks, ivory spears and ivory weights for fishing nets which provided him with seafood's from the streams, lakes, and oceans. The Eskimos of Siberia and North America could not have survived with out the use of walrus ivory. No wood was available in the far north, except for the occasional piece that washed ashore from some distant land. Their entire livelihood depended on the use of ivory. Tools, weapons, utensils, and even the runners on their sleds were made from ivory.
Ivory was such a mystery to these early fore fathers that it was used in religious and mystic ceremonies. It has been used as a spiritual exorcise and exploited for its medical properties. No Shaman or religious leader would be with out it in his so called medicine bag.
I believe archaeology and anthropologist should insert an Ivory Age after the Stone Age and before the Iron Age. Ivory had been used for thousands of years for tools, implements and weapons. It was this age that allowed early man to arrive at the iron age thousands of years sooner.
Most books written on ivory has been on its unique quality for carving. During the last few hundred centuries, ivory has been sought after and exploited for its invaluable qualities. Its scarceness has made it a priceless jewel and has been used as a measurement of wealth amongst all societies.
During the early Egyptian era, through the Greek and late Roman Hellenistic period ivory carving in relief had reached a high degree of fantasy and refinement. This was inspired by the early Christian Culture and ivory religious scenes was the flourishing art of the time. During the Middle Ages, Medieval art began to loose all of the elements that had preceded it. Ivory carvings were done on a single plane with no relationship between figures, landscapes, and buildings. Later on the Byzantine culture which was very sophisticated and complex influenced the entire artistic community for the next several centuries. Then came the Gothic and Barbarian style which brought us a more refined and mystical form of art with the desire for elegance and expression. The last few centuries gave us the ivory carvings we are apt to find in most museums today. This Renaissance and Baroque era gave way to the imitative art of the past and influenced the great ivory sculptors of Europe with the most important, exciting and intrinsic Classical style of the 17th and 18th centuries. This naturalistic and ambitious art would come to an end in the latter part of the 18th century.
This long flourishing affair with ivory and one of the most beautiful materials available to the master sculptures of the world would give way to commercialism and mass production.
Africa, The Far East, and Asian countries of the world had also developed ivory carving in an unobtrusive style suited to their refined cultures.
Now, the wanton destruction of wild animals through out the world for their ivories has caused the near distinction of these beautiful animals and the greed of the few must not me tolerated. Do not buy animal ivory. Please use viable and replaceable vegetable ivory (tagua nut) in all your hobbies and also, their are some nice synthetics available.
Grandpa Spragg
GrandpaSpragg@att.net