How much is a carved walrus tusk worth?
Genuine scrimshaw or authentic ivory walrus tusks that have such carvings on them, can be worth thousands of dollars. Ronald Bourgeault, owner, appraiser and chief auctioneer for Northeast Auctions, once valued a 19th century piece of scrimshaw ivory walrus tusk at $35,000 to $50,000.
Is it illegal to own a walrus tusk?
The Laws: There are various federal laws regulating ivory and now some states have enacted ivory laws. It is legal under federal law to buy/sell walrus and narwhal ivory possessed before the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
How much for a tusk of a walrus?
Prices for a walrus tusk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $395 and can go as high as $19,200, while the average can fetch as much as $2,200.
What is scrimshaw walrus tusk?
This long, sharp walrus tusk tip has two whales engraved on its sides. On one side is a sperm whale, with its mouth wide open displaying its characteristic teeth in the lower jaw.
How can you tell if a walrus tusk is real?
16 The bases of most larger genuine ivory figures carved from elephant or walrus tusks are oval because that is the natural cross section of the tusk. Bases of many, but not all, artificial ivories are very nearly perfectly round. This is not a conclusive test but is often one more clue in separating new from old.
How much is an old ivory tusk worth?
Poachers kill elephants for their valuable tusks — a single pound of ivory can sell for $1,500, and tusks can weigh 250 pounds.
Can I sell my walrus ivory?
Walrus ivory offered for sale that was harvested after 1972 may only be carved by Alaska Natives. Once carved and sold, anyone may resell Alaska Native art and craftwork made of walrus ivory.
How much is an ivory tusk worth?
Poachers are now slaughtering up to 35,000 of the estimated 500,000 African elephants every year for their tusks. A single male elephant’s two tusks can weigh more than 250 pounds, with a pound of ivory fetching as much as $1,500 on the black market.
Is walrus tusk considered ivory?
Whole cross-sections of walrus tusks are generally oval with widely spaced indentations. The dentine is composed of two types: primary dentine and secondary dentine (often called osteodentine). Primary dentine has a classical ivory appearance. Secondary dentine looks marble or oatmeal-like.
Is scrimshaw expensive?
Prices range from less than $1,000 to $75,000 or more, with ongoing scholarship increasing the interest of collectors and the values of scrimshaw. Made as gifts, scrimshaw teeth depict the images that were most important to a sailor: whaling scenes, ships, women, patriotic motifs, idyllic homesteads.
How do you authenticate ivory?
The test consists of heating up the point of a needle until it’s red-hot and then pricking what you believe is your ivory carving. If the needle goes in, it’s plastic; if not, it’s probably ivory, or at least bone.