Antique Vegetable Ivory Bell Tape Measure English
* Circa 1890s
This little antique tape measure is carved of vegetable ivory in the form of a bell. The handle on top that winds the tape back in is carved of cow (bovine) bone*. The silk tape is original and marked in inches (starts at 12"). The back has been reinforced in a couple of places but it seems fine. The condition is excellent with no chips or loss and it works perfectly. It measures 2 1/4" high and the bottom is 1 1/8" in diameter. Vegetable
ivory comes from the corozo or tagua nut of a South American palm tree
and was a
favorite with the Victorians. It has the hardness and texture of ivory
and a warm honey color. The
dark spots and ivory like grain are also natural features
of this material.
*The stem is made of bone from a domestic cow (bovine) and NOT from an endangered species or an ivory producing species.
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