"Imagination is so much harder to face than reality." Maybel Seeley
The native peoples of the south Pacific, including Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, etc., are amongst the world's best ocean travellers. For thousands of years they have used the stars in conjunction with the size and direction of ocean waves to navigate the vast open stretches of the Pacific Ocean. Like sailors everywhere, they wore Talismans to keep them safe on the sea.
There is one particular Talisman that is found in much the same style and shape all over the south Pacific; this is the sacred fish hook. Whether it is the Makau fish hook of Hawaii, or the Maori Hei-Matau from the coast of New Zealand, a sacred fish hook represents strength and great respect for the sea. For millenia it has been worn to provide good luck and safety for sailors.
This is the fully carved three dimensional version of our Hei-Matau that our customers have been asking us to make. Choose your fossil ivory from the many choices shown below. (Shown are Fossil Walrus Ivory Light, and Tiger Stripe.) It is fully carved 1 3/4 inches high, 3/4 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick. Comes with leather neck thong.
Of course, both hand carved in our studio.
T111-HEI/MATAU$89.50 Ivory Color:
All items chosen with Registered Sperm Whale Ivory will come with a Registration Certificate containing the Department of Commerce registration number. [Sperm Whale Ivory Shipped only to addresses in Maryland]
We stand ready to scrimshaw anything you would like on any of our pieces - animals, ship's and family portraits, landscapes, nautical scenes, hunting scenes, etc. We do many special order commission pieces from blazer buttons, knitting needles (knitters take note!), fountain pens, corkscrews, pistol grips, ball point pens and mechanical pencils, desk accessories, Fossil Ivory ship models, ship half hulls, Nantucket and Lightship Baskets, to custom whole Sperm Whale Teeth or whole Walrus Tusks. We also handcraft fossil ivory sailing/nautical trophies to order. We can personalize any piece with a scrimshawed name and initials at no extra charge. (Email us with any queries. Just email us at studio@ancientivories.com and let us know your special order needs!
Have a question? Just call us toll free at 1-866-468-0728.
The available colors of our high quality Fossilized Ivories are shown below. (Please allow for some color variation in these natural materials.) Our wonderful Ivories have been reclaimed from the ground after sharing the earth for up to 30 millennia! Even after all this time, Fossil Ivory remains warm and sensuous organic ivory; it is not petrified. It has developed its beautiful colors by taking up minerals from the earth and these colors are impossible to match in any contemporary ivories by modern processes. In time, the Fossil Ivories you wear or use will take on very personal hues from your contact. They will become a part of you.
These are our scrimshaw Design Etchings. In addition to these designs, as an added option, you may send us a picture of your choice for a commission price quote.
Looking for thoughtful and interesting gifts?
Know someone who absolutely loves his boat? Let us hand etch it's portrait, along with name and hull number - and the name of the captain - on one of our knives, pendants, money clips, or any of our other pieces!
Ancient Ivories Studios handcrafted items make sensational and warmly personalized gifts that will be treasured and enjoyed.
Have questions or special order needs? Just email us at studio@ancientivories.com or call us toll free at 1-866-468-0728.
Please bookmark our site. We add new designs and items periodically.
None of our Ivory is contemporary, and not a single animal has been killed, culled, or otherwise harmed to produce our Fossil Ivories. It is the only perfect, ecologically sound, humane way to own and wear warm, wonderful and enduring ivory.
We Use No Elephant Ivory, Nor Contemporary Ivories of Any Kind.
Every piece of Sperm Whale Ivory we sell, is registered with the Department of Commerce, and comes with a Department of Commerce registration number.[Our license does not allow us to ship Sperm Whale Ivory outside of Maryland.]
We have many more fine knives in our studio that are not on our website. Email us for availability of your favorite knife with Fossil Ivory handles! (We also replace scales on treasured old knives.)
LEARN ABOUT ANCIENT IVORIES STUDIOS AND OUR GALLERY CRAFT SHOW OUTLETS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK AT RIGHT
FOR A MAP OF OUR SITE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK AT RIGHT.
We offer the best prices on the web and outstanding value - check us out!
Have a question? Just call us toll free at 1-866-468-0728.
Most of our pieces are unique treasures created especially for the prospective wearer. Want to help us design your scrimshaw piece? Whether it's a fossil ivory Amulet or Talisman, Scrimshaw jewelry, personalized scrimshaw knives, Fossil Ivory Wedding or Commitment Band, Pendants, Brooches, scrimshaw sailor's Knife, Sterling Silver and scrimshaw Box, Scrimshaw Sperm Whale's Tooth, or Sterling Silver and Ivory scrimshaw Spoons and Tableware, just email us and we will work with you for a very personal piece you'll love to use or wear!
