My parents have been antique wholesalers/retailers for 35 years...they follow these instructions on old pieces prior to selling them, if they are exhibiting any tendency to crack.
Another technique for oiling ivory is to put the ivory in a double boiler pan (water in bottom pan) with enough mineral oil to cover the ivory slices and gradually increase the temperature of the ivory to the point where the ivory sends up tiny bubbles of air/moisture. Leave the pan on the stove for about eight hours, and raise the temperature if the bubbling stops, but the oil should not be boiling. After the eight hours turn off the heat and allow to cool, wipe off the oil and store until you are ready to use; the moisture in the ivory has been replaced with oil, you will not be able to see a difference. We do not recommend these oil soaking treatments for fossil ivory, as it can get an oil soaked look.
When storing ivory in any form, raw, sliced or finished, the best policy is to keep it in an area that has a high humidity. A basement is better than an attic, a cabinet with a cup of water is better than an open book shelf. Common sense care of your ivory will help it grow more beautiful as the years go by.
Topic: antler care? (Read 780 times)
