Ivory is a term used to describe the tusks and teeth of animals, most commonly elephants. For centuries, ivory was a prized material used for art, jewelry, tools, musical instruments, and more. While the use and trade of ivory is now banned or restricted in many parts of the world, antique and vintage ivory items can still hold significant value for collectors and enthusiasts today.
What makes ivory valuable?
Ivory is valued for several key reasons:
- Rarity – Ivory comes from limited sources, mainly African and Asian elephants, mammoths, walruses, hippos, and wild boar. With elephant ivory hunting now illegal, the supply is finite.
- Aesthetics – Ivory has a smooth, glossy surface and a creamy white color that makes it desirable for carvings, jewelry, piano keys, and more.
- Durability – Ivory is strong, dense, and durable. It resists cracking and yellowing better than many materials.
- Historical significance – Antique ivory objects can provide a tangible link to the past and reflect important artistic, cultural, and technological traditions.
These qualities mean antique ivory maintains value for collectors, museums, musicians, and others even after the ivory trade was banned in the 1900s.
How old does ivory have to be to have value?
There is no firm rule on how old a piece of ivory must be to have value. Some general guidelines on ivory age and value include:
- Pre-1870s – Ivory from before the 1870s when the ivory trade was largely unrestricted is generally viewed as antique with the highest value.
- 100+ years – Ivory objects that are at least 100 years old or more tend to increase in value and interest to serious collectors.
- 1900-1930s – Ivory from the early 20th century when trade bans took effect can also have good value due to more limited supply.
- Post-1930s – Ivory less than 90-100 years old is less valuable but can still be of interest to some collectors.
Rarity, condition, craftsmanship, and historical importance also impact ivory value regardless of precise age. But in general, older vintage ivory from the 19th century or before has the greatest worth.
What types of old ivory items have value today?
Many different antique ivory items are prized by collectors today. Some of the most valuable and sought-after types include:
| Ivory Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Carvings | Figurines, statues, netsukes, tusks, religious objects, plaques, boxes, combs, and more. |
| Jewelry | Bracelets, pendants, rings, brooches, earrings, cufflinks. |
| Furniture Inlays | Inlaid ivory decorations on chairs, tables, chests, cabinets, and screens. |
| Musical Instruments | Piano keys, bagpipe parts, violin fittings, mandolin parts. |
| Cutlery & Tableware | Handles, knives, forks, decorative salt cellars, tea caddies. |
There are numerous other examples like games, fans, writing equipment, and religious objects that may have collectible value if they are antique. The rarity, condition, and craftsmanship impact price.
What makes an ivory item particularly valuable?
Certain factors can significantly increase an ivory item’s value among collectors:
- Age – 18th century and older are most prized.
- Size – Larger carvings and tusks worth more.
- Rarity – Unique or rare objects like netsukes.
- Subject matter – Figurative carvings vs utilitarian objects.
- Artistry – High level of detail, carving, and craftsmanship.
- Provenance – Belonged to someone important historically.
- Condition – No cracks, stains, or damage.
Ivory with one or more of these attributes has the potential for extremely high value. For example, an 18th century carved tusk with intricate detail associating it with royalty could be worth over $1 million.
Is the value different for raw vs carved ivory?
Both raw and carved ivory can be valuable, but typically carved ivory is worth more to collectors.
Raw, uncarved tusks can have high value based on their size, level of yellowing/staining, and historical period. Larger older tusks are most valuable. Raw ivory may be valued for the potential to carve it.
However, intricately carved ivory generally has greater worth for several reasons:
- More rare – Only certain skilled artisans could finely carve ivory
- Higher artistry – Carvings reflect talents of master craftsmen
- More visually appealing – Carved objects have more decorative details
- Historical insights – Carved subjects like figures provide cultural insights
A carved 19th century netsuke figure, for example, will likely fetch a higher price than a raw ivory tusk from the same period even if they have comparable volume/weight.
Do mammoth tusks have value like elephant ivory?
Yes, mammoth tusks that come from ancient extinct creatures can also have significant collectible value, sometimes even more than elephant ivory.
Reasons mammoth ivory can be so valuable include:
- Very limited supply from long extinct animals
- Preserved well in Arctic for 10,000+ years
- Pleasant caramel brown coloring
- Legal to buy/sell many places since not elephant ivory
High quality mammoth tusks and mammoth ivory carvings often reach very high prices at auction. A large carved mammoth tusk sold for over $300,000 in 2017.
What are some notable valuable ivory pieces sold recently?
Here are some examples of antique and vintage ivory pieces that have sold for substantial prices in recent years:
| Ivory Item | Sale Price | Year Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Netsuke figural carved tusk | $856,000 | 2017 |
| Chinese 18th century ivory vase | $542,500 | 2016 |
| Mammoth tusk boulder with figure | $337,500 | 2017 |
| French 19th century carved tusk | $278,000 | 2015 |
| 8 piece ivory drawing room suite | $150,000 | 2018 |
These examples demonstrate that old ivory retains extensive value, often selling for $100,000+ if the item is particularly rare or remarkable.
Why did the value of ivory change over time?
Ivory’s value has fluctuated based on supply and demand over time. Three major periods affected its worth:
- Before the 1800s – Ivory had high value for practical uses and art in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.
- 1800s – Demand and value increased as rising middle class desired ivory products.
- 1900s-now – Hunting bans cut supply making ivory rarer and more valuable.
At times, ivory was so abundant it was used for buttons and other utilitarian objects. As elephants neared extinction in the 1900s, ivory became scarce increasing its worth again.
How can you assess the value of old ivory pieces?
Some tips for assessing antique ivory value include:
- Verify age – Get an expert opinion on age based on style, testing, etc.
- Assess size – Weight and dimensions impact value.
- Check markings – Look for artist signatures, seals, or other markings.
- Evaluate subject – Figurative carved ivories typically more valuable.
- Consider craftsmanship – Intricate detail raises value.
- Research comparables – Look at prices similar ivories have sold for.
- Get appraisals – Get estimates from accredited appraisers.
There are few hard and fast rules, so professional assessments are key for understanding true antique ivory value based on all these factors.
Conclusion
In summary, old ivory can still have considerable monetary and cultural value today. Vintage carved ivory pieces over 100 years old from the 19th century or earlier and mammoth ivories tend to be most prized by serious collectors and museums. Legal trade in antique ivories persists despite broader efforts to restrict the ivory trade, confirming that old ivory continues to be recognized as a valuable art form and historical artifact.