Das beste kommt aus Zeylon und muß recht schön glatt und weiß seyn

Eine Literatur- und Objektstudie zu Farbveränderungen an Elfenbein

Abstract

“The best [ivory] comes from Ceylon and should be quite smooth and white.”
A literature and object study on discolorations in ivory Aged ivory objects commonly show discolorations such as fading, bleaching, yellowing or darkening. The causes of these discolorations are often difficult to determine. Numerous trading dictionaries and encyclopaedias of goods were consulted in order to explore whether there is any correlation between the degree of yellowing and the quality and origin of the raw material. Object studies carried out did not confirm that ivory has a natural tendency to yellow with age. In this paper the different kinds of discoloration and their possible causes are discussed.