hu

Ivory is the hard, creamy-white material that makes up the tusks of animals like elephants and walruses. It has been used for carving for thousands of years across many cultures, including ancient Egypt, China, India, and in Europe from prehistoric times through to the modern era.12

Historically, ivory was prized for its fine grain, smooth texture, and lustrous appearance, making it a luxury material. Tools for carving ivory have evolved from simple hand tools like chisels and saws to modern power-driven machinery.2

In ancient China, narrow ivory tablets called hu were used by officials as symbols of rank and as writing surfaces. These tablets evolved in size and significance over centuries, remaining a mark of high court rank until the 17th century.2