IVORY FOR POMMEL
Hello,
This is supposed to be a sperm whale tooth. Purchased from a seller who informed us that it came from tawi-tawi, from way way back.
My plan, if indeed this is sperm whale tooth, is to use it as a pommel to an old barung or kris (which has no pommel).
I've done some reading and this specimen conforms (in my unexpert opinion) to ivory. The ff are some things I have read on ivory's characteristics:
a) ivory always has parallel grain, like rings on a tree or crosshatch pattern called Schreger lines. On closer inspection, this tooth has both parallel and crosshatch patters.
b) in contrast to bone, ivory has a smooth feel.
Thanks in advance for you inputs.
Regards
Yves
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