IVORY CRAFTSMEN FACE A BOOM

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5327, 13 February 1947, Page 2

IVORY CRAFTSMEN FACE A BOOM

PROM WAR TO PEAlGE VAST TUSKS TO DELIOATE ORNAMEJNTS, London's oldest company of ivory craftsmen, the largest in the world!, are turning from war to peace production to face their biggest demand from the world markets for years. For, after six years' diversion to the rnanufacture of delicate instruments for Allied anti-submarrae devices, compasses, aircraft electrical components, and other vital war material, production has switched to-send this shining man-maide toilet ware once again all over the world into the homes of those who love beautiful things. At Kennington Cross, site of a former 16th cenbury prince's palace, inaster craftsmen who during more than two and a half centuries have handled more raw ivory than anyone — with the possihle exception of King Solomon — are ibeing overwhelmed with orders from all parts of the world. In more than 55 years Mr. John H. Puddefoot has appraised 22,000 tons of tusks from a million anid a half elephants. "I vmuld be quite willing to face a quiz contest with King Solomon — on ivory!" he said with a smile. Regan in 1685. Mr. Puddefoot's company has its earliest record in 1685, when Thomas Bowers, a dealer in ivory, was in business at old London Bridge. The design of combs made in Thomas. . Bowers' time is usetdi to-day. And a direct descendant of the family is still a member of the firrn. A French Huguenot, William Simonett, came to England early in the 19th century and became a partner in the company. John Webb Puddefoot, descendant of a line of ivory dealers, joined the firrn later. "There is not too much raw ivory aboat at the moment," Mr. Puddefoot continued. "Pre-war we used to import about 100 tons annually from the east and west coasts of Africa, although we have bought as m'uch as" 250 tons a year. At least 40 tons is shot annually for the East African Government alone to control the size of elephant herds. A good tusk will weigh about 701b, although I bave handled t^em as heavy as 1701b. "The largest in the world are in the Natural History Museum, Kensington, London, and weigh 2241b and 2261b, but I think these must be single tusiks and not a pair. Present market price of raw ivory is about £1400 a ton, but, of course, .price depends on quality."

Mr. Puddefoot became enthusiastic. "Ivory is a fascinating thing," he continued. "F'or example, the left tusk* lways lighter than the right, an you discover that the female tusks are nearly straight — a diggeT tusk — but the male tusks tum up at the tip — fighter tusks. After years of experience i' can now tell by the grain and colour of a piece of ivory from which part of Africa it has come, the sex by its shape, quality :by external appearance, and also whether it is soft or hard or intermediate — important points." He fingered a band of yellowish ivory on the little finger of bis left hand. "This," said Mr. Puddefoot casually, "is 100,009 years old — mammoth tusk from Russia. The Russians carried on a huge trade in mammoth ivory with China for hundreds of years. As the ice -melted in Siberia the mammoth tusks were found. I've handled1 about a thousand tons of it myself, although we've imported none from Russia since the first World IVjar. The heaviest known tusks weighed about 3001b, and I've seen them weighing 2001b. But they're usually poor quality ivory. Still Fashionable. "Oh, yes, ivory is just as fashionable as ever it was, and there has been nothing to toiuch it in durability and appearance. You can boil ivory for hours without effect." In his vaults stacks of gleaming white cut tusk lengt|is await the craftsmen above. And in the work- : shops quiet-faced men are handling ivory again; dividing the tusks to select the most suitable pieces, cutting, drilling, soaking and polishing. And from the neat white squares and blocks, wafers and str'ips, come bangles and ornaments, combs and brushes, trinket and jewellery boxes: a range of shining' toilet ware. Brus'h ■bristles are patiently . fitted; and threaded, surfaces scoured and polished, teeth finely cut — for one mis■take means eO'mplete wastage of time and tusk. " "See here," said Mr. ■ Puddefoot, picking up a wafer-thin square of gleaming ivory." "This is the most perfect ivory of any — these are ivory leaVes used for ipainting miniatures on. Miniatures painteid! on ivory last for hundreds of years," he explained. "Out of a hundred tons of ivory I doubt whether I find 5cwt. good enough for this purpose. But there is no wastage. Even the smallest pieces are used to make something, such as back and front studs. K "Ivory blaok made frolm burnt powdered ivory is the blackest known 1 paint, and fine ivory drillings are the world's finest fertiliser. You should w see my tomato plants! "We used io sell a lot of ivory dust, too, before the war. It makes a most nourishing jelly for invalids. The dust is boiled for 48 hours until it forms a jelly. The residue is then discarded and the jelly flavoured with sherry or po'rt. "There's been nothing to touch ivory since golomon's day," he.repeated. "In working"' it," nothing is wasted1 — except the squeaik of the elephant!" His eyes twinkled as he turhed to watch a white-aproned craftsman polish the teeth of a fine dust comb.