Thread: Some thoughts about horn.

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, that is a problem with horn as it tends to gain or loose moisture like ivory, hygroscopic effect, and changes shape because of it. If horn can be sealed so that it can neither gain nor loose moisture content you would think it would stay straight and not warp.

I am guessing that whatever the ivory was sealed with still allowed moisture to escape but not enter the ivory so it cracks when it dries out. Whatever the sealant used should allow no in or ex-filtration of moisture to stabilize the moisture content of the object sealed.

Bob

They never sealed Ivory,they Oiled it with mineral oil,This allows transpiration as do's ren-wax.
I can ship Ivory from my local with a humidty of 25% to Florida with a Humidity of 90% and it will Expand up to .004 of an inch (yes Ihave Measured it).
I have seen Ivory collections (netsuki) that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollors,they are stored in Climate controlled cabinates, removed once a year and oiled.
If you ever buy raw ivory let it stabilize in your local for several weeks before working with it or it can cause you grief.
Store items containing Ivory as you would fine wines or cigars.