"Probably not", that is the safe position to take, then make the seller prove it is Ivory.

Things you should know about Ivory before you bid:

- There is Elephant Ivory, Mammoth Ivory, Hippo Ivory and Walrus Ivory.

 --- Elephant and Mammoth Ivory has the tall-tale cross-hatch "X" pattern. Hippo Ivory has a pattern similar to growth rings of a tree and Walrus Ivory has a "crushed ice" look that sets walrus apart from all other ivories.

- Synthetic Ivory does not have this cross-hatch pattern.

- REAL ivory was NEVER attached to synthetic bases. Many synthetic pieces were attached to wood bases or stands. This is especially found in European replicas made in the 1900's.

- When examining a piece look closely and if you will see round, ball-like areas inside the crevices and holes. This is residue left from a mold. Also remember that OLD does not mean REAL. Synthetics have been used for over 100 years.

I am not an expert on Ivory but I did research  it after being "eBayed" back in June/07. This seller sold me a pair of 1880's Ivory Dice. God, was I a fool. They turned out to be Vegetable Ivory, which is nothing more then a "nut" that comes from a tree found in the South American Rain Forest.

Just because someone claims to be an " archeimedes" doesn't make it so.