CARE AND PRESERVATION

Whether you own one piece of ivory or have expended considerable effort assembling a collection, you should be aware of the safest means for displaying and preserving ivory. If you have the facilities, ivory should be stored in a lighted area at 65 degrees F. and at a humidity level of 45-55%. Humidity above 70% can cause mold to develop on the ivory surfaces.

Ivory is a fairly tough substance, and will not usually break if knocked over (though delicate openwork can be fragile). Therefore, ivory can be displayed on open shelves, mantelpieces, or furniture -- if certain precautions are taken to avoid its deterioration or possible destruction.

All ivory contains moisture. When it loses its moisture, it can crack, become dull, or decompose into a chalklike material. To prevent this, you must return the lost moisture. One way to do this is to keep the ivory near a small glass of water. Another method is to rub the ivory with a light coat of baby oil every 6 to 12 months.

Ivory is very susceptible to excessive heat and cold. Extremes of temperature can cause old ivory to discolor and crack. A severe temperature drop can literally cause ivory to explode. Therefore, radiators, open fires, open windows, and the cold of unused rooms should be avoided. Should this happen and cracks develop, place the ivory in a case with a glass of water. Sometimes this will cause cracks to close.

Ivory is also susceptible to bright sunlight and should not be exposed for long periods. Nor should ivory be shut away in dark rooms or cupboards, as either way a change in color may be induced. One solution is to occasionally change the object displayed around the room by alternating their positions.

Dirty ivory should be cleaned with warm water and a little mild detergent or soap and thoroughly dried immediately after washing. If the piece was so badly stained as to appear unsightly, it should be rubbed gently with a cloth moistened with methylated spirit mixed with water, being sure not to remove the original stain or pigment. Joined ivories (where two surfaces have been cemented together) and pieces with inlays, gemstones, or precious metals need extra care and may need to be dried with a blow dryer.

When working with raw ivory, there may be cracks in the end grain. This can be minimized by coating the ends with wax, shellac, or varnish. Paint is not recommended. Once the ivory is polished, this type of cracking usually stops.

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