Ivory type? - Trying to keep legal

[allis]

A friend of mine bought some 'buffalo ivory' from a flea market to resell. However after some research online, she realized that buffalo don't have tusks, ha ha. So she contacted me and wanted to make sure that they're not elephant. Is there anyway to tell what animal they're from? I know warthog is legal or could this be from a horn or bone?
Please see below picture... i'll post more I'd love to get everyone's opinion. Obviously if they are elephant I will encourage her to do the legal thing with them.

[allis]

another pic

[allis]

another pic

[newhouse114]

In the second series of pics you can see the striations in the ivory that makes me believe that it is elephant. That said, if these are pre import ban items, I don't "think" there is a problem with selling them. Your friend "should" have asked for an afidavit stating how long the item had been in possesion.  I have been an ivory carver for 30+ years but I deal primarily with walrus ivory. A whole different set of rules.

[allis]

Hey thanks, newhouse114! Much appreciated.

[Light Rail Coyote]

In the second photo, you can see the telltale lines and texture pattern for real ivory. But not all real ivory comes from elephants. As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to bet that this paticular piece is made of hippo ivory. The difference is that elephant ivory has a crosshatching affect in the lines, whereas hippo has a more vertical pattern. That said, it is hard to tell from the photos since they're not exactly perfect. In addition, the pieces are carved in such a way as to make it hard to tell what ivory-bearing animal these are actually from.


On the bright side, the carvings for both pieces featuring the rose motif are a good step in the direction of proving that these are pre-ban, since that floral pattern was very popular in pre-ban times.

More photos would help!

[newhouse114]

If you look close you can see the crosshatching.  I am guessing that the two "photo frames" (?) are way too big to be hippo ivory.

[Light Rail Coyote]

Hippo ivory can be several feet long depending on the specimen.

[newhouse114]

Length isn't the consideration, width is. I have gone through a lot of hippo ivory and I've never seen a rust much over 1.5 inches thick.

[allis]

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback! I think either way, it's probably best she doesn't attempt to sell it unless she gets documentation. So, i really appreciate all of your expertise

[museum man]

elephant ivory is legal to sell and you can still hunt them today..if its preban stuff you don't need anything...if it is ivory that is taken in the last 25 years or so you just need a signed notorized  statement that it was a legaly killed elephant and what year it was taken....you don't need any cites just the notorized statement

[hunt4blue]

What do you mean if they are ivory you will do the legal thing with them?  What it the legal thing to do with Ivory?   YOU can still hunt elephant, and you can still legally import them if you legally hunt them. I have hunted elephant, in certain countries there way to many in certain areas. I have seen big herds of elephant, hundreds a day.   

[Jim B]

There is some information on identification and legal aspects at boonetrading.com

[Gina]

The carved lion looks like East Asian or from India.  Ive got alot of Asian style stone carvings and it resembles those to me.

[vietsimp321]

the second 1 is elephant i would say...and too newhouse114 and
light rail coyote (hello my friend..long time) there's another way to tell if it's elephant is that when u put the piece below (under) a piece of glass such as below and inside the top piece of glass of ur store counter display case....about an inch distance and under the light...u will see a tiny Black dot (about the needle point size) that will stay and show on the piece of ur ivory...the crazy thing is when u move ur piece of ivory or shaking it slowly u will see that black dot moving along with ur movements too....i know it's hard to explain but if u got a real piece just try to put in under the top glass of ur display case...then adjust the distance a bit ( about an inch) u will see that tiny black dot showing and moving along with ur movements...