Take half an ounce of isinglass, boiled gently in half a pint of water,
till dissolved; then strain it, and add flake white, finely powdered,
till it is as white as cream.
Take any article you desire to look like ivory, such as a wooden box,
stand, or card-case.
Give the article three or four coats of this solution, letting each dry
before the other is laid on; then smooth it carefully with a bit of
damp rag.
When the composition is perfectly dry, you can put on the imitation
carved ivory figures, which are made as follows: Boil half a pound of
best rice in one quart of water, till the grains are soft enough to
bruise into a paste; when cold mix it with starch powder till you make
it as stiff as dough; roll it out about as thick as a shilling. Cut it
into pieces two inches square, and let it dry before a moderate fire.
These cakes will keep many months, and be fit for use, if kept dry and
free from dust.
When required for use, get a coarse cloth, make it thoroughly wet,
then squeeze out the water and put it on a large dish four times
double; place the rice cakes in rows between this damp cloth, and when
sufficiently soft to knead into the consistency of new bread, make it
into a small lump; if too wet, mix with it more starch powder, but
it must be sufficiently kneaded to lose all appearance of this powder
before you take the impression; to do which, you must procure some
gutta percha half an inch thick, cut it into pieces about two inches
square, and soften it in hot water; then get any real carved ivory you
can, and take off the impression on your pieces of gutta percha, by
pressing it carefully upon the carved ivory till a deep impression is
taken.
When the moulds are quite dry and hard, and your paste in a proper
state, with a camel’s hair brush lightly touch with sweet oil the
inside of the mould you are going to use, and then press the rice
paste into it; if the impression is quite correct on removing it, take
a thin, sharp, small dinner knife and cut the paste smoothly, just
so as to leave all the impression perfect; then with a sharp-pointed
penknife smooth off all the rough edges, and with white cement place
your figures on the box in large or small figures, just as your taste
directs; the figures adhere better if put on before they are quite dry.
Sometimes, from frequent kneading, the paste gets discolored; these
pieces should be set aside and used separately, as they can be painted
in water colors to resemble tortoise shell or carved oak; this should
be done after being fastened to the box.
Having completed your work, finish by varnishing it very carefully with
ivory varnish, which should be almost colorless.
This design so nearly resembles carved ivory, that it has been mistaken
for it when nicely done, and it is very strong if carefully cemented.
Cover boxes simply with the flake white solution, and then paint on
them in water colors representations of flowers, varnishing when dry
with colorless varnish. Such boxes are very easily made.
From the readiness with which the material can be obtained, this is an
elegant amusement for all who are of an ingenious disposition.