Elephant Ivory in the Museum

Elephant Ivory objects in the museum

Click on the icons to find out more about elephant ivory objects in the museum. The different colours on the map show where different species of elephants live .

African Forest Elephant

African Plains Elephant

Asian Elephant

We don't always know which species of elephant each object is made from because ivory has been traded widely for centuries.

Elephants are endangered as they have been killed for their ivory tusks over many years. Tusks are special teeth that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The use of elephant ivory as a raw material for everyday objects around the world, and the hunting with guns, led to the steep drop in elephant numbers from the 19th century. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. . Puzzle ball from China made from a solid piece of Asian elephant ivory.On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1886.1.93. Puzzle balls were made in China for hundreds of years to hang inside the house. The way to solve the puzzle was to line up all the balls inside so you could fit a small stick through the centre of them all.Q. How many different balls do you think make up this puzzle - 3, 11 or 22? (Scroll to the bottom for answer) Ivory sunshade handle from India. On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1963.12.4. Elephant ivory was often used to make handles for objects.What other materials can you think of that handles can be made from? Comb from Sri Lanka. Probably made from Asian elephant tusk. On display on the first floor of the museum. PRM1886.1.9. Elephant ivory has been used to make combs and hair pins in many different countries. Look closely at the decoration on this comb - what can you see? A scene has been carved showing elephants sprinkling the Buddha with water. A. The puzzle ball is made from eleven layers.

Elephants are endangered as they have been killed for their ivory tusks over many years. Tusks are special teeth that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The use of elephant ivory as a raw material for everyday objects around the world, and the hunting with guns, led to the steep drop in elephant numbers from the 19th century. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. In many West and Central African communities, elephant hunters were highly respected and skilled. Every part of the elephant was used: hair for brushes, skin for baskets, and meat for food. Negbanzi (trumpet) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1940.7.038. In West and Central African communities, trumpets made from elephant tusks were skilfully carved and played at special occasions. The trumpets linked ceremonies to this great creature and its powerful sound. Can you think of any other musical instruments that are played at special occasions? Armlet from Nigeria, made from African elephant ivory with silver pins.On display on the first floor of the museum. PRM1884.82.127. In Nigeria, armlets made from elephant ivory were worn to show someone was important.What might a leader wear now to show they are important?

Elephants are endangered as they have been killed for their ivory tusks over many years. Tusks are special teeth that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The use of elephant ivory as a raw material for everyday objects around the world, and the hunting with guns, led to the steep drop in elephant numbers from the 19th century. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. Bookmark from Tanzania with elephant carved at the top On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1995.21.20.African elephant ivory is a strong hard material which is useful when making objects you want to last, like this bookmark. Why do you think elephant tusks need to be so hard?

Dice from England made from elephant ivory with anchor On display on the first floor of the museum. PRM1917.53.507.In the 19th century it was common to make games from ivory such as dominoes, dice and snooker balls.Although there are no elephants living in England, objects made from ivory have been historically traded and ivory used to make things in England. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. We don't currently know what type of elephant ivory this dice is made from.Where do you think the ivory used from this dice came from?

African Forest Elephant Elephants are endangered as they have been killed for their ivory tusks over many years. Tusks are special teeth that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The use of elephant ivory as a raw material for everyday objects around the world, and the hunting with guns, led to the steep drop in elephant numbers from the 19th century. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. In many West and Central African communities, elephant hunters were highly respected and skilled. Every part of the elephant was used: hair for brushes, skin for baskets, and meat for food. Negbanzi (trumpet) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1940.7.038. In West and Central African communities, trumpets made from elephant tusks were skilfully carved and played at special occasions. The trumpets linked ceremonies to this great creature and its powerful sound. Can you think of any other musical instruments that are played at special occassions? Armlet from Nigeria, made from African elephant ivory with silver pins.On display on the first floor of the museum. PRM1884.82.127. In Nigeria, armlets made from elephant ivory were worn to show someone was important.What might a leader wear now to show they are important?

African Forest Elephant Elephants are endangered as they have been killed for their ivory tusks over many years. Tusks are special teeth that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The use of elephant ivory as a raw material for everyday objects around the world, and the hunting with guns, led to the steep drop in elephant numbers from the 19th century. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. In many West and Central African communities, elephant hunters were highly respected and skilled. Every part of the elephant was used: hair for brushes, skin for baskets, and meat for food. Negbanzi (trumpet) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1940.7.038. In West and Central African communities, trumpets made from elephant tusks were skilfully carved and played at special occasions. The trumpets linked ceremonies to this great creature and its powerful sound. Can you think of any other musical instruments that are played at special occassions? Armlet from Nigeria, made from African elephant ivory with silver pins.On display on the first floor of the museum. PRM1884.82.127. In Nigeria, armlets made from elephant ivory were worn to show someone was important.What might a leader wear now to show they are important?

African Forest Elephant Elephants are endangered as they have been killed for their ivory tusks over many years. Tusks are special teeth that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The use of elephant ivory as a raw material for everyday objects around the world, and the hunting with guns, led to the steep drop in elephant numbers from the 19th century. Since 1990 there has been a ban on the international trade of elephant ivory and conservation projects have been set up to help protect elephants. In many West and Central African communities, elephant hunters were highly respected and skilled. Every part of the elephant was used: hair for brushes, skin for baskets, and meat for food. Negbanzi (trumpet) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. On display on the ground floor of the museum. PRM1940.7.038. In West and Central African communities, trumpets made from elephant tusks were skilfully carved and played at special occasions. The trumpets linked ceremonies to this great creature and its powerful sound. Can you think of any other musical instruments that are played at special occassions? Armlet from Nigeria, made from African elephant ivory with silver pins.On display on the first floor of the museum. PRM1884.82.127. In Nigeria, armlets made from elephant ivory were worn to show someone was important.What might a leader wear now to show they are important?