Asian? Ivory? Bone? Bakelite?

[Kevo_DFX]

I got this in a box lot at an auction. The metal scrollwork on the end is Brass. Other than that, your opinions on what this is will be more info than what I have. Note the end without the brass is broken.



Thank you for looking!

 

[nhbenz]

I find similar items described as a "page turner"
antique asian ivory with brass page turner - Google Search

 

[PamDF]

woah That reminds me of the kind of ruler shaped ivory thingy traditional officials in China hold in hand as they go to work, and Qing Dynasty did send ambassadors over to USA in the 19th century... Check if it's really made of ivory?

Though not sure if the ivory "ruler" held by gov officials have flowery decorations on it... so could be a page turner used by wealthy families back then

 

[tamrock]

That's a nice find. I found one cheap for like $3. and sold it on Ebay I'm thinking for like $200.? The one I had was also damaged on the tip, but I did reshape it using sand paper and a fingernail buffer to polish it. I did mention that in the auction.

 

[bigfoot1]

i cant tell you what its made of..but I can tell you how to rule out bakeolite or other plastic.

heat needle with a lighter and try to push into item.plastics will allow entry and smell like plastic...ivory wont

 

[diggummup]

i cant tell you what its made of..but I can tell you how to rule out bakeolite or other plastic.

heat needle with a lighter and try to push into item.plastics will allow entry and smell like plastic...ivory wont

I wouldn't do that myself. There are better methods. I use simichrome polish to id bakelite. It's cheap and a tube lasts a long time. I'd agree that it's a page turner with a damaged end. Here's a good site that shows you how to discern ivory, bone or bakelite. I've found it handy in the past. It references antique gambling chips but the premise is the same- distinguish bone, ivory and celluloid

 

[Kevo_DFX]

woah, I totally missed all the replies on this. Thank you all! Big help.

Tamrock - do you have a link to the auction? I actually reshaped mine as well! It's hanging out underneath my aloe plant beside a bhudda statue.

diggum - great link! Very useful. I have like 5 things I need to figure out.

 

[ARC]

It is ivory... 100%

By the way... not sure if aware...
cannot sell on ebay as ivory... must use words like faux ivory.
They have really cracked down on it.

 

[jwarner51]

What's the history behind these page turners. I've never even heard of them before.

 

[gunsil]

New federal laws make it illegal to sell any elephant ivory object across state lines, ebay isn't the only place it is banned. All sales of elephant ivory are banned in CA and the trend is spreading to other states. These ridiculous laws include antique ivory, although it is supposed to be exempt in some states proof of age is on the seller, and ivory cannot be physically dated without great expense, and only if it is old enough for carbon 14 testing such as mammoth ivory. I have always liked ivory objects but government regulations are making it worthless as far as selling goes.