Hexagon Bird and Cherry Blossom Branch Necklace
Hand carved from fossil mammoth tusk
Reversible: PInk blossoms dyed with cochineal, blue blossoms dyed with indigo
Adjustable polyester cord (black or beige, 24") hand braided in Kumihimo style, the Japanese art form of making braids and cords, literally meaning "gathered threads”
Hand carved fossil mammoth tusk cinch bead slides to preferred necklace length
Silver chain (16", 18" 20") also an option
Carving measures just under 1 1/8" across, just under 1 1/8" tall and 1/8" thick
This handmade pendant necklace for women is a stunning piece of carved fossil jewelry. The hexagon sculpture is strong and geometric in contrast to the lovely, delicate bird singing sweetly from this cherry blossom branch within it. This unique and one of a kind bird lover gift is one of many of my handmade jewelries.
Fossil mammoth tusk is a magnificent medium to work with for many reasons. The material itself is very dense so it takes detail well. Mammoth tusk also has a specific grain, which is quite beautiful and differentiates it from other illegal ivory sources. The colouring is also an interesting aspect to work into a design. I like to use the surface of the tusk (called the "bark", much like a tree) as it offers a good contrast to the ivory underneath. The colour variation is endless, depending on what minerals and tannins the tusk was next to in the ground. The main reason that I like to carve from Mammoth tusk is that it has a certain mystique. Early North Americans used the whole woolly mammoth. I like to think that 10,000 to 60,000 years ago, a hunter fed his family with the meat of the mammoth and now I use its tusk to "feed" my family.
Please note that fossil mammoth is restricted in the following states: CA, DC, HI, IL, NV, NH, NJ, and NY.
It is also prohibited in India.