Mammoth Tusk & Ivory

Our artistic bone carving process is a meticulous and labor-intensive endeavor. The skill and experience of the craftsman play a significant role in selecting and utilizing the material to ensure the final piece’s artistic value.

There are different types of bone materials used in our carvings, including large bovine bones (such as cattle bone), antlers from deer, elk, cows, and bulls, narwhal tusks, walrus tusks, mammoth tusks, and elephant tusks. The sourcing of these materials is carried out according to the animals’ habitat, with a special emphasis on ethical practices to avoid any harm to current wildlife.

To begin, the bones are cleaned and sometimes bleached to achieve a pale color. However, certain bone types, like mammoth tusks, are left in their natural state to preserve their unique shades and textures. The bones are then cut into pieces or plates, with the cutting direction following the natural grain of the material to enhance its strength and durability.”

ROBERT SMITH

It’s important to note that mammoth tusks, unlike other materials, are unpredictable in quality and appearance. Some well-preserved tusks may require minimal restoration, while others might be fragmented or have imperfections. Nevertheless, the value of mammoth tusks remains high due to their exceptional strength, intricate patterns, and the splendid range of colors acquired over thousands of years of mineralization. Colors may include milky white, peachy tones, ochre-gold, reddish-brown, emerald blue, and deep violet, making each piece truly unique.

Once the bone is prepared, our skilled artisans mark the design on the surface before embarking on the carving process. Using various tools, such as saws, drills, chisels, grinders, and sandpapers, they meticulously sculpt the bone, creating delicate patterns or three-dimensional figures.

Our artistic techniques include smooth carving, relief carving, and through carving, each giving the final piece its own distinct character. For engravings, we draw inspiration from the traditional methods of Chukchi and Eskimo peoples. These engravings breathe life into intricate imagery, which is then enhanced with pigments or paint to achieve a vibrant and harmonious appearance.

After carving, the bone undergoes a thorough sanding and polishing process to highlight its natural textures and colors, resulting in a refined and lustrous finish.

Our collection comprises three main categories: sculptures, decorative household items, and accessories. Sculptures include round carvings and reliefs for interior decoration. Decorative household items encompass practical yet artistic pieces like cutlery, clocks, knives, cups, and more. Lastly, accessories consist of exquisite items like pendants, medallions, necklaces, rings, earrings, combs, keychains, and other beautiful adornments.

We take immense pride in preserving the legacy of mammoths and their captivating history through our artistic bone carvings. Each piece is not just an item of beauty but a valuable representation of art and heritage, connecting us to the wonders of the past.