6. Scraper.—(See Illustration p. 221.) This is the most distinc tive tool used in ivory carving. It resembles a wood-carving chisel ground to a point, fine or round as required, with the front face kept flat and the rear face bevelled off into a cutting edge. It is held like a pen in the right hand : the finger tips being about I in. i in. from the point. Using the thumb of the left hand to give a steadying pressure at the point, the tool is pushed with a short flicking movement over the surface of the ivory, removing the substance in shavings. Fine pointed scrapers can be used for engraving the most delicate lines. Nearly all ivory carving is finished with the scraper.
Polishing the Carving is most effectively carried out by gently applying fine pumice powder with a soft damp cloth. In small interstices, where the finger cannot reach, a piece of wood, such as a match-stick, may be used with the damp powder. Whiting or a white tooth-powder may also be used for a final polish, if this is required.
Methods of Holding.—When carving in the round, ivory is best held in a wooden vice, or between pieces of wood, cork or thick felt inserted into the jaws of an iron vice. Ivory must
never be held directly between the jaws of a metal vice, as this will cause a deep bruise. Larger pieces can often be held con veniently in the left hand at certain stages of the carving. Slabs of ivory on which a relief is to be carved should be fixed to a piece of wood of suitable size, t in. a in. thick, by means of beeswax. The melted beeswax should be poured on to the centre of the piece of wood, the ivory pressed on to the molten wax. The wax should be in such quantity that a small amount exudes on all sides when the ivory is pressed down. When set, this superfluous wax should be scraped away before the carving is commenced, or it will get on to the hands and tools. When it is necessary to draW upon ivory, as for a relief, an ordinary lead pencil should be used. The pencil lines can be fixed by painting over the whole surface with white spirit varnish. This quickly dries into a hard transparent skin, impervious to moisture, which in no way interferes with the process of the carving. (A. Du.)