Thread: Reynolds with Whale Scale

I don't want to be critical, but along with the whale, you could have had Captain Ahab tangled up in the harpoon lines beckoning .......

Obviously I'm being facetious, absolutely stunning display of skill, artistry and talent. Every time I see one of your jobs and think, he can't top that one, you come along with another that is even more amazing.

Very nice work,did you use india ink as they did back in the day?
I on occasion do Ivory repair work (piano keys,furniture inlay,Netsuki) the patina on old ivory (yellowing) is only microns thick,is very easy to color it back to looking old again.

I have used India ink as well a modern day equivalents like a Sharpie.

I have some pure white ivory that after reading that string tea would yellow it but did nothing I went on to try a variety of stains all to no great effect.
It's still pure white.
Maybe I shouldn't have polished so highly.
If the surface was left dull some tinting did happen but I want a polished finish.

Playing with some old ivory the color seems more than just on the surface. Then too it may have been something other than a pure white to start.

How, may I ask, do you tint Ivory. Nothing has worked successfully for me. I don't mind the pure white as I have on my Acanthus and Cherry Blossom carved Ivory scales but in some cases I'd like it "aged" for effect,

WOW !!!! Just beautiful.

Originally Posted by mycarver

I have used India ink as well a modern day equivalents like a Sharpie.

I have some pure white ivory that after reading that string tea would yellow it but did nothing I went on to try a variety of stains all to no great effect.
It's still pure white.
Maybe I shouldn't have polished so highly.
If the surface was left dull some tinting did happen but I want a polished finish.

Playing with some old ivory the color seems more than just on the surface. Then too it may have been something other than a pure white to start.

How, may I ask, do you tint Ivory. Nothing has worked successfully for me. I don't mind the pure white as I have on my Acanthus and Cherry Blossom carved Ivory scales but in some cases I'd like it "aged" for effect,

The key to coloring Ivory,is first it has to be polished,i take it to white diamond,Than any residual compound needs to be removed with Dawn dishwashing soap and warm water (scrub it well) Than you need to use a mordant to etch the Ivory (straight white Viniger) Rinse,dry well.
Boil up some tea or coffee,let cool,immerse the item until the desired color is achieved,rinse, dry well.
Polish again with a soft cloth and renwax.
The Chinese have been dyeing Ivory for centurys,is truley an art form.

Thank you so much!!'

I knew it has been done for centuries but I didn't peruse it far enough. Thought being somewhat porous it would just take on some color.

Guess what I'm off to try?

Give it a shot,has alway worked for me.

I find that constantly smoking one tobacco pipe after another will color just about everything in the house ........

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I find that constantly smoking one tobacco pipe after another will color just about everything in the house ........

I used to age newly re-done watchdials in a shoe box with pipe tabaco smouldering in a tuna can.

Beautiful work... We're always our worst critic, wanting better from ourselves.....


In Christ
SB