agman Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 (edited) I'm trying to identify the polished fossil material in this Georgian English snuffbox, circa 1760 to 1820. Is it mammoth ivory? Walrus? Wood? Something else? The material is set in unhallmarked sterling silver. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Adam Edited February 10, 2019 by agman correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Welcome to TFF. Sorry but that is not ivory. I think it is a fern wood. (petrified) 2 Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agman Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Thanks for the quick reply! Petrified wood is also interesting. Any suggestions on how to research it further? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 No, but others here may know. 1 Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 You might want to check out this post. Link 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agman Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Thank you. So the blob-like structures would be the cross sections of fern roots? What would the more uniform material with the dark flecks in it be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 7 minutes ago, Rockwood said: You might want to check out this post. Link I like the possible similarities. " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Consider fossilized palm wood as well. Do an internet image search for the word "Palmoxylon" and you'll find images similar to this: Cheers. -Ken P.S: I'll give you $2.58 for it. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agman Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Thanks, Ken. That does look pretty similar. Sure, let's start the bidding at $2.58 ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 It's a neat and beautiful piece of history--combining both antique craftsmanship with fossil material. Glad you found your way to the forum and glad we were able to help. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 A beautiful item. Hello, and and a very warm welcome to TFF from Morocco. 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Looks very much like palm wood. RB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daves64 Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 29 minutes ago, RJB said: Looks very much like palm wood. RB I thought the same thing when I first saw it. 2 Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 What is very special about this piece of palm is that it shows part of the trunk, the small vascular bundles, and part of the roots, the bigger double circles. 2 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemslice Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Good Day from Kauai! This is a slab of petrified palm trunk, at the base of trunk, where some of the root structure is also petrified. this is full replacement by SiO2 (silicon dioxide; quartz). I have sliced many slabs of this material, and the palm trunk looks like small cellulose fibers when cut across the grain, and long stripes when cut with the grain. The root structure are larger looking tubular structures that go every which way, they look circular or oval when cut. all takes a fine polish with Cerium Oxide on damp hard felt wheel. it does get so silicified that the slabs cut ring like glass or fine porcelain when lightly struck with a jewelers file. do not recommend this test in a finished piece. The rough is highly prized by rockhounders in these fine states; Calif, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida. This is a wonderful specimen (AAA) and the highlight to the piece in question. Blessings, Crimson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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