Ivory is a generic term for the tusks and teeth of land and marine animals. When fashioned and polished, ivory is a striking adornment. Although mostly associated with elephants, ivory from whale teeth, walrus tusks, narwhals and other animals has been used in the making of bagpipes. In more recent times, unearthed mammoth tusks have also been used.
The subject of bagpipes and ivory is highly emotional. According to reports, about 30,000 elephants are poached annually, primarily for their ivory. National Geographic tracked the journey of ivory tusks from central Africa into markets in Asia. Often, money from this illegal trade is used to fund terrorist groups in the middle east. Attempts to reduce the slaughter of elephants have failed miserably, however governments have been successful in closing down the trade in ivory that was removed from the wild decades earlier. In my opinion, they also ensured the continuing slaughter of elephants by destroying over 130 tons of ivory confiscated over many years.
This aside, (I feel better now) a number of different natural and man-made materials have been used in the manufacture of bagpipes over the years. Bone and horn were perhaps the earliest. Ivory from elephants, whales and other marine animals made its appearance in the 1700’s and rose in favor because of it was easy to work with, readily available, and, of course, a very handsome material when finished. During those years, bone and horn were used as substitutes until the arrival of synthetic materials toward the end of the 1800’s. Most of these mounts have non-concentric bores due to the internal structure of both bone and horn.
Bakelite, Casein, and Catalin were less expensive and promoted as “imitation ivory”. Robertson used an amazing brand of Casein in both white and black color. It remains one of my favorites. Celluloid made its appearance under the trade name “Ivoroid”. It was highly flammable and had a tendency to burst into flames while being machined. Lawrie used ivoroid quite a bit between the wars and its not unusual to find elephant ivory bushings in what is otherwise a full or half ivoroid set of Lawrie pipes. Palm nut was used occasionally by some makers however proved difficult to work with due to its internal structure. In more recent times, delrin has evolved and is available in a range of colors and patterns, some which are eerily similar to elephant ivory. The use of moose antler is also gaining in popularity along with other exotic hardwoods.
