Small Carved Figurine, Nut?

Can't tell for sure what is the material, some kind of a nut?
Not certain of the origin either.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

Hi,
It has schandier (sp) lines so it must be ivory.
greg

 

Close Greg. Schreger lines. Here is a link to a google search on identifying Ivory through Schreger lines.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=schreger+lines+ivory

 

Might be a chess piece.

 

that's ivory....

 

MOS... I had the same feeling... Pawn?

 

Ivory with nerve spot - don't know why, but she's giving me a James Thurber, theatrical/humorous vibe

 

I'd say ivory chess piece too. She looks terrified of something - probably a marauding pawn.

 

No -- it's that lighter. She has never seen fire before from such an odd source.

However, I think 'she' is a he.

 

Children Of The Corn chess set

 

My first impression was Ivory also.

 

Hmmm - maybe it's King Richard III? (LOL) He had reason to be a little scared, and that bowl cut fits.

 

I'm leaning towards ivory also; however tagua nuts (vegetable ivory) also show a line structure, reportedly very similar to that found in hippopotamus ivory. I can recognize tagua when I have it in hand, but not so much in photos.
Here's an article with some info on tests (one of which leaves a permanent mark, however); the lines are very clear in the thumbnail photo included.
http://www.fws.gov/lab/ivory_substitutes.php

 

I have more than one vegetable ivory piece hanging around; this isn't the nut.

 

Yes, that is often the best way to identify items; have some in hand for comparison. I'm just pointing out that with the prevalence of the nuts, just the fact that an item shows some lines isn't a foolproof ID, especially with internet photos. Once you have them in hand, the difference in the lines is clear.