Ivory - Identification and Regulation of a Precious Material

The National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, has a resource page up on African ivory.  Originally conceived to accompany the National Museum of African Art’s 2008 Treasures exhibit of ivory masterworks, the pamphlet: “Ivory: Identification and Regulation of a Precious Material” is now accessible via the Museum’s website.

Ivory, from the animals that produce it to the intricately carved artifact, is a material closed associated with Africa. Prized across world cultures from ancient times to the present day, the incessant demand for ivory has
dangerously diminished elephant populations in Africa. In an effort to educate the general public, art collectors, and specialists this webpage includes written and photographic information on how to identify elephant ivory and its substitutes, descriptions of the laws and regulations of its trade and a selected bibliography.

Stephanie Hornbeck, former conservator at the National Museum of African Art,researched and wrote the document with research and outreach assistance from her NMAfA colleague Jessica Levin Martinez, Educator for Scholarly Programs.

The information in this .pdf file will be of interest to specialists as well as the general public.

Christine Mullen Kreamer, PhD
Deputy Director & Chief Curator
National Museum of African Art

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