Victorian Parasol with Carved Bone or Ivory Handle

[talesofthesevenseas]

So based on the strong assumption that our threaded rod is a later repair and not an original part of the parasol, and confirmation that the material is ivory (presumably elephant ivory?), what would you guys estimate the age is on this? Maybe 1880 to 1890-ish judging by the longer 31" length of the parasol?

...And again, many thanks for all the input on this one. I really did learn an awful lot on this go-round!

[syl]

I think you should do the hot pin test to confirm that it's ivory. It would smell more like burning tooth, like when the dentist drills your teeth because its enamel like teeth. Not sure what bone would smell like. If it's something other than ivory, like plastic or something synthetic, it would melt. Ivory won't. 

[D&b antiques]

That All thread looks much later then 1890. which is likely since a repair was done. As whole likely to be 1890.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Thanks D&B! 

Syl, I'm afraid I don't have enough experience to give it a smell test. I just don't have anything to compare it to, unless I had examples of known celluloid and known ivory for comparison. I'm confident with the antique dealers assessment of it, and I could do the acetone test, since I understand that would not hurt the ivory and would only affect it if it were celluloid. So that might be a better option for me.

Last night I firmly packed and wound the repaired area with cotton. That not only helped to protect where the two parts of the break come together, but it also firmed it up overall, as there was a slight amount of movement around the threads. Then I sewed a tube out of the same taffeta as the bustle, made it nice and snug over the cotton, and then gathered both ends. Then I sewed on a bow of the same material. It came out very nice, helped to stabilize the whole thing, protects it from further damage and hides the problem completely. I restitched the two places where the fabric had come off the frame. There are no tips like on a modern umbrella, but it has holes that you hand-stitch the fabric to. I aligned it with the old stiching which had a nice heavy seam to hang onto. It worked great so that's all fixed too. I might work on a matching removable taffeta cover for the top, which will protect the old fabric from sun damage and match it to my costume. I'll post a photo of the final result.

[waywardangler]

I do not believe the hot pin will penetrate ivory but it will melt celluloid. A drilled hole will give off the burned smell.  To smell this smell, drill a piece of antler with a Dremel.  It is very distinctive and you will never forget it. There are websites that give a thorough explanation of the difference between ivory, celluloid, and bone (there is a good one on rubylane).  With a loupe you should be able to tell the difference.  Ivory has wavy lines and cross hatching, celluloid has straight lines, and bone has flecks. Ivory will also be cooler to the touch than the other two.  With a loupe, you should be able to see actual cuts (starts and stops) done with a graver or whatever was used to carve this with.  The close-up you had of the end shows the wavy lines and cross hatching.  A definite trait of ivory.

[talesofthesevenseas]

OK if the pin test doesn't actually burn the ivory that would be ok to try

[regularjoe2]

I wouldn't waste the effort on 'testing' your item , talesof7cs - you've already had it ID'd by a specialist .

As a suggestion for your consideration , you might try a little Fimo-therapy with this one (FIMO 'clay') .
You can mould it to the existing repair , bake it in the oven & secure it in the/with the method you've already done ... it would be removable & could offer a bit stiffer 'interim' repair - until such time as you decide about a permanent repair .
I'd sure hate to see it broken further , if it were mine .

You can even mix the fimo colors to match the ivory , as well as working with/carving the fimo after it's heat-cured .

[talesofthesevenseas]

That sounds like a good idea, I have never heard of Fimo. Would I get that at a craft, plastics or art supply store?

[regularjoe2]

@ Craft &/or art supply stores , talesof .

You usually can buy single-color small packages (about 2 oz.) pretty cheap .

[KC]

Good recommendation regularjoe!  Forgot about this!  Would be great for her to mold, bake and then apply!

Here's some instructions that may help TalesOf
[url]http://www.artsncrafts-ideas.com/fimo-modelling-clay.php/url]

[talesofthesevenseas]

Cool! This looks like it would be fun too. I'll definitely check this out. We have a large Michaels craft store nearby my work that probably carries this. I wonder if I could take an impression from the parasol and bake it, then use the baked impression as a mold for the new piece... hmmm... you've got my gears a-turnin'!

[talesofthesevenseas]

I have been working on the cover for the parasol this weekend and I'm pleased with how it came out. I used left-over taffeta from the bustle dress, made a circular cover that lays over it with a ruffled edge and a drawstring at the top. The ruffle is lightly elasticized, so that it very gently stays over the top of the parasol, without actually being invasive in any way. No clips or stitching or ties that might damage the original fabric.

Here it is:

Being the girly-girl that she is, Peep insisted on being in the photo with the parasol:




Up-close on the bow over the repair:



Up-close on the drawstring top:

[ironlord1963]

What a wonderful Parasol, Not sure if I had mentioned that or not, and have really liked this thread.  My Girlfriend really like it too, and would love to a pic with you dressed up with it.  I would have to comment that for a pirate Lady, it is a bit dainty .  Pirate by day and Victorian Noble by night.  Tales you really rock  .     

P.S. Looks like Peep is proud of it too.

[hosman321]

Now that is just beautiful! I have been watching this thread and I have no idea why I haven't commented yet. When I think of victorian times, these are exactly what I imagine. The bow is just perfect, sly way to cover up!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Thanks guys, I do intend to try the Fimo clay, but the bow will suffice for the time being. Ironlord, I will get a photo of the whole ensemble, but I need to give it another week or two before I want to get into the corset again. I just had surgery actually, for breast cancer. Fortunately I'm going to be just fine, they got it all and it has not spread to my lymph nodes. I do have to have radiation and chemotherapy to keep it from returning, which is really gonna suck. But it's a pretty big lumpectomy scar, about 3" and I need to give it another week or two before I subject it to those steel bars!