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Once, elephant hunting was a topic for stories in almanacs like 'Okhotnichyi Prostory' ('Hunting Expanses') from the 70s and 80s. However, times have changed, and the attitude towards this trade has been radically revised at the international level.
Once, elephant hunting was a topic for stories in almanacs like 'Okhotnichyi Prostory' ('Hunting Expanses') from the 70s and 80s. However, times have changed, and the attitude towards this trade has been radically revised at the international level.
At the end of the 20th century, the United Nations imposed a moratorium on the culling of elephants, which became a turning point in the history of the ivory trade. This decision was supported by many countries striving to preserve the population of these animals.
A significant step was the decision by China, which in 2017 introduced a complete ban on the processing, purchase, and sale of ivory within its territory. The European Union also joined this initiative, tightening the rules for the circulation of such items.
Today, the circulation of ivory items is strictly regulated. There are clear rules based on the item's production date, which every collector and investor needs to know.
There are three main time periods that determine the legality of trade:
The introduction of strict restrictions on the ivory trade has led to the emergence of a new, in-demand alternative on the market—mammoth tusks. This material is not subject to bans, as mammoths are an extinct species, and their tusks are considered fossilized minerals.
The main region for mammoth tusk extraction is Yakutia, from where the material is exported by the ton, primarily to China. Master carvers from China and India, who historically worked with elephant ivory, are now actively working with mammoth tusks.
Thus, items made from mammoth tusk can be freely bought and sold without any legal restrictions, making them an attractive object for collecting and investment.
| Feature | Mammoth Tusk | Elephant Ivory |
| Structure (Schreger Lines) | A grid of intersecting lines forms acute angles (less than 90 degrees). | A grid of intersecting lines forms wide, obtuse angles (about 110-125 degrees). |
It is crucial for a collector to be able to distinguish between elephant ivory and mammoth tusk. The main differences lie in the color and, more importantly, in the internal structure of the material, visible on a cross-section.
Color can be deceptive. Ivory yellows over time, like, for example, items from the Qing Dynasty. However, ivory from elephants in some regions of Africa (Angola, Nigeria) actually whitens over time. Mammoth tusk also often has a yellowish tint from being in the ground for a long time.
The key difference is the pattern of so-called Schreger lines, which can be seen on a cross-section under a tenfold magnifying glass.
This structural pattern is the most reliable method of identifying the material. If you see a yellowish item, it could be either antique ivory or mammoth tusk.
Besides analyzing Schreger lines, there are other ways to verify the authenticity of ivory, and it's also important to be aware of fakes and other materials whose circulation is restricted.
There are many fakes on the market made from the bones of large animals, for example, from hip joints. Such bone carvings also have value, but they are often passed off as more expensive ivory. They can be distinguished by the absence of the characteristic grid of Schreger lines.
It is important to remember that the general ban (the term 'Elfenbein') covers not only elephant tusks but also walrus tusks, rhinoceros horn, and hippopotamus teeth. Their circulation is also strictly controlled.
Items made from elephant ivory and mammoth tusk undoubtedly have investment appeal. However, when building a collection, it is important to strictly adhere to the legal framework to avoid problems.
You should acquire ivory items either if they were produced before 1947 and their age is confirmed, or with an official certificate for the period 1947-1990. Auction houses that provide all the necessary documentation are a reliable source.
There is no fixed price for ivory. The cost depends on many factors: age, size, complexity and quality of the work, as well as provenance. All other things being equal, items made from elephant ivory are valued more highly than those from mammoth tusk due to their rarity on the legal market.
The cost of raw mammoth tusk is approximately 700 euros per kilogram. At the same time, large, intricately carved tusks can be sold at Sotheby's and Christie's auctions for sums exceeding a million, as they are completely legal.
