Ivories Ancient and Mediæval

"Ivories Ancient and Mediæval" by William Maskell is a journey through time, exploring the rich story of ivory carving from ancient beginnings to the Middle Ages. It begins by laying the groundwork, explaining the origins of ivory and its substitutes, like walrus tusk, and takes a look at ivory's role in history, drawing upon biblical references to show its importance. The narrative emphasizes the unique characteristics of different kinds of ivory and illuminates how many priceless historical pieces were saved because they represented wealth and power. It promises a close examination of how the art of ivory carving changed and what it meant to different societies throughout history.