Title: Care of Inuit Carvings – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 6/9 - Canada.ca
Headings: Care of Inuit Carvings – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 6/9
Care of Inuit Carvings – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 6/9
Introduction
The materials
Stone
Bone
Ivory
Baleen
Care, handling, and display of Inuit sculpture
Stone
Bone and ivory
Baleen
Other associated materials
Repairing damaged carvings
The artist’s intent
Bibliography
Copies are also available in French.
Texte également publié en version française.
© Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute, 2016

Content: © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute. CCI 120279-0002
Figure 1. Whale bone showing spongy interior. Ivory
Walrus ivory is by far the most common type of ivory carved by Inuit. One can also encounter narwhale tusk or whale tooth from Greenland. All ivory is essentially tooth material. Walrus ivory is characterized by an outer layer of creamy dentine and an inner layer of secondary dentine, which has a crystalline appearance. If you look carefully, you can usually make out both the secondary and regular dentine layers in most Inuit walrus ivory carvings (Figure 2). © Government of Canada, Canadian Conservation Institute. CCI 120279-0003
Figure 2.