A carved figure was called elephant ivory from its surface pattern

If crossing lines appear on a pale carving, a seller may call it elephant ivory. Similar patterns occur in substitutes, while carving and coatings can conceal the underlying structure. The examination must identify surfaces that genuinely expose the material without damaging the object merely to test one assumption.

What needs to be clarified

Examine available areas for dentine, bone or substitute characteristics, assess whether observations support material identification and separately state the possible level of taxonomic inference.

Materials to prepare

Figure with accessible base and existing chips, without fresh scraping
Scaled close-ups of the object, pattern and exposed sections
Description of coatings, restoration and documented provenance

What to compare

Inspect the base and exposed sections under magnification, recording pores, channels, layers and pattern regularity. Distinguish structural features from applied decoration and compare multiple areas. Agree any additional methods with preservation in mind; similar mineral chemistry does not replace structural examination distinguishing bone, dentine and substitutes.

Possible outcome of the analysis

An illustrated review may describe supported features, justify the level of material identification and explain limitations caused by coatings, carving and access to sections of the examined object.

Limits of the conclusions

Material identification establishes neither object age, extraction location nor lawful trade. Absence of a visible characteristic pattern on a worked surface does not by itself exclude dentine.