FINE PAIR OF MAMMOTH TUSKS. ...

Description

FINE PAIR OF MAMMOTH TUSKS
Mammuthus primigenius
Pleistocene
Alaska, U.S.A.
As the tundra slowly recedes from the "top of the world", more and more Ice Age Mammoth remains are uncovered each year. It is still extremely rare, however, to find tusks of this size, and even more so, in an actual pair. Most tusks are unearthed singly, and when pairs are presented for sale, they are most often matched. This, however, is a true pair, the two tusks from the same ancient animal, and what a pair it is: each tusk boasts a massive girth of 16 3/8 inches and only one shows some (minor) tip restoration. The surface of the ivory is undulating and pitted with battle scars, and the lovely creamy white ground is streaked with dark warm brown and hints of blue and green from mineral-bearing water seepage. Both display the classic double curve that distinguishes mammoth from elephant tusks, and one has a good root section whilst the other has been broken off further down, allowing a fascinating glimpse of the interior structure of the tusk. Presented on wooden stands, they make for extremely impressive display pieces, and measure 60 3/8 and 74½ inches long around the outside of the curves.

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