I meant to write 'celluloid', based on the 3 materials mentioned on this site http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/distinguish_iv_bon_cel.htm, but when I wrote the title I didn't remember the name of the material and couldn't find the site, and went for plastic
All look like ivory to me, with the exception of the rose. The texture of the back throws me off. But the world is full of little ivory roses, so maybe this is just an odd one. Another pic, other lighting might reveal the indicators.
If it came as part of this little collection, which seems to have been put together by someone who recognized ivory when they saw it, there's a better than fair chance the rose is too.
It was indeed bought as a collection. The seller does house clearances and this was one of the finds. He only knew about the two silver marks, but didn't have any more info on the items. He suspected it to be ivory, but didn't check/test it, so he wasn't sure. He is also curious to know what he sold me
Just like a cameo, except do not leave soaking for more than a little while. Elephants don't carry umbrellas.
835 marks without a cartouche are often German. If the marks are on the butterfly backs, the 925 one is probably a replacement. Happens a lot. But if the marks are on the posts, it is just one of those things we joolies have to struggle with every day. The rose looks like some sort of composite? I have seen those small Cantonese puzzle balls made out of bone, as opposed to ivory. This could be one of those. The ivories are pre-Cites, but even so, what are you going to do with them?
I already have too much ivory. All beautiful and very much pre-Cites, but with the way things are headed....
Best close-ups so far ... : Elephants Fish Balls Earring Rose The rose seems to be the only one with a completely different texture. With all other items you can see lines, while the rose looks as if it will be sticky, and the back has a rougher looking surface. The small elephant (no close-ups in this post) is much whiter than the rest, but also has lines (or all this zooming in and staring through a loupe messed up my eyesight, and now I'm seeing lines in everything ...except the rose) So, what's your verdict now, @Bronwen and @Any Jewelry (e.a.)? Composite rose and the rest ivory? Or ...?
