Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ivory Cutter

🎯 Role Definition

An Ivory Cutter (Ivory Carver) is a specialist craftsperson who shapes, engraves, restores and finishes ivory and legal ivory substitutes (e.g., mammoth ivory, fossilized ivory, legal antique ivory, bone, horn and synthetic ivory) into high-quality decorative, functional or restored objects. The role demands exceptional hand-eye coordination, deep knowledge of tool selection and maintenance, mastery of surface finishing and inlay techniques, and rigorous compliance with international and national wildlife and trade regulations (CITES, customs, and local laws). The Ivory Cutter works closely with designers, conservators, curators and clients to deliver bespoke carvings, conservation treatments and accurate provenance documentation while maintaining workshop safety, dust control, and archival-quality recordkeeping.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice carver / junior craftsperson (wood, bone, or jewelry)
Bench jeweler or metalworker with fine detail experience
Museum preparator or conservation technician (entry-level)

Advancement To:

Master Ivory Carver / Lead Carver
Workshop Manager or Studio Director
Museum Conservator / Senior Restorer specializing in organic materials

Lateral Moves:

Fine jewellery designer or micro-sculptor
Heritage collections technician or object conservator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Inspect and validate the provenance documentation of ivory, mammoth ivory, bone, horn and synthetic alternatives to ensure all materials meet legal and ethical sourcing requirements, including cross-referencing CITES permits, import/export records and museum accession files.
Create detailed condition reports and conservation assessments for antique ivory objects prior to any cutting, carving or restoration work, documenting micro-cracks, previous repairs, shrinkage lines and any biological degradation.
Translate client briefs, sketches or CAD files into precise carving plans, working drawings and production timetables that balance aesthetic goals with structural integrity and legal constraints.
Execute high-precision freehand and pattern-guided carving using an array of hand tools (chisels, gravers, files) and powered micro-motors, producing fine detail, depth and texture while minimizing material waste.
Perform delicate engraving, relief carving, inlay, piercing and openwork techniques on small-scale objects such as handles, jewelry components, insets and museum artifacts with micron-level accuracy.
Operate and maintain small CNC and rotary equipment for repeatable detail work where appropriate, programming basic toolpaths and verifying tolerances for hybrid hand/machine workflows.
Apply surface stabilization treatments and reversible conservation-grade adhesives for consolidation of friable ivory, following museum conservation best practices and using archival-compatible materials.
Execute multi-stage sanding, bleaching-neutralizing (when appropriate), staining, gilding, lacquering and polishing sequences to achieve museum-grade finishes that respect historical patina and material age.
Conduct restoration and sympathetic repair of antique and historical ivory objects, removing non-original accretions, reconstructing missing elements and matching grain, color and finish to original surfaces.
Fit and set ivory components into metal, wood or composite mounts (e.g., knife handles, instrument keys, jewelry bezels) ensuring secure mechanical joints, correct tolerances and long-term stability.
Produce accurate measurements, scaled templates and wax or polymer mock-ups to test form and ergonomics before committing to final ivory cutting.
Estimate project costs, materials requirements and timeframes for bespoke commissions and restoration jobs, preparing clear client proposals and timelines.
Manage workshop inventory with rigorous chain-of-custody records for all regulated materials, maintaining logs, serial numbers, photographs and permit copies to support audits and customs checks.
Ensure strict shop safety and occupational health protocols including dust-extraction systems, PPE (respiratory protection, gloves and eye protection), safe storage of chemicals and solvent handling procedures to protect staff and artifacts.
Liaise with customs brokers, regulatory agencies and institutional registrars to prepare and submit export/import declarations, CITES permit applications and legal attestations when transporting regulated objects.
Provide client education and written documentation on the legal status, ethical considerations and conservation needs of ivory and ivory substitutes, recommending alternatives where appropriate.
Mentor, train and supervise apprentices and junior carvers, delivering structured skills training in tool technique, material science and conservation ethics.
Collaborate with designers, product developers and curators to prototype new pieces, advise on material suitability and contribute to product or exhibition concept development.
Document all interventions with high-resolution photography, process notes and condition forms using museum-standard terminology to ensure reversibility and future conservation integrity.
Perform quality control and final inspection of completed pieces against client specifications, historical reference materials and internal quality standards before delivery or installation.
Develop and implement workshop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling, cutting and finishing regulated organic materials, ensuring consistent outcomes and regulatory compliance.

Secondary Functions

Source legal and ethically acceptable materials, build relationships with verified suppliers of antique, fossil (mammoth) and certified substitutes, and negotiate procurement terms.
Maintain and calibrate small precision tools and safety equipment, scheduling routine maintenance and procuring replacement parts to minimize downtime.
Support client-facing sales and consultations, including attending trade fairs, gallery previews and museum consultations to promote bespoke services.
Contribute to studio marketing content by producing process photography, time-lapse videos and descriptive copy for portfolio, SEO and social media presence while ensuring compliance with legal disclosure requirements.
Assist with packing, crating and shipment preparation for high-value items, coordinating insured transportation and secure delivery logistics.
Participate in conservation committees, professional networks and continuing education to stay current with legal changes, new materials (synthetic ivories) and conservation science.
Undertake light workshop administration tasks including invoicing, permit renewals, inventory adjustments and project scheduling.
Provide ad-hoc research into historic carving techniques, tool histories and regional stylistic influences to inform restoration decisions and accurate reproductions.
Coordinate with external specialists (metallurgists, jewellers, conservators) for complex multi-material projects that require cross-disciplinary expertise.
Assist museums and private collectors with condition surveys, insurance valuations and long-term storage recommendations for ivory and related organic artifacts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Fine detail carving and micro-sculpture on small organic substrates (ivory, mammoth ivory, bone, horn, synthetic alternatives).
Proficient use of hand gravers, chisels, files, micro-motor drills, Dremel-style tools, and precision rotary instruments.
Experience programming and operating small-scale CNC or engraving machines for fine repeatable detail when appropriate.
Advanced sanding, polishing, inlay and surface finishing techniques, including gilding, lacquering and archival-grade varnishes.
Condition assessment, documentation and reversible conservation treatments compliant with museum standards.
Proven knowledge of CITES regulations, national wildlife trade laws, customs documentation, and chain-of-custody recordkeeping for regulated materials.
Pattern making, use of templates, wax modeling and mock-up fabrication to validate form before final cutting.
Metallurgy basics for setting ivory within metal mounts and understanding adhesion/mechanical bonding techniques.
High-resolution photography and recordkeeping for condition reports and legal provenance documentation.
Familiarity with dust extraction, respiratory protection protocols and workshop occupational health best practices for organic dusts.
Basic CAD skills for translating designs into production-ready templates and collaborating with designers.
Inventory control and studio SOP creation for controlled materials.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and steady hand coordination for micron-level carving accuracy.
Strong ethical judgement and integrity when handling regulated and culturally sensitive materials.
Clear client communication skills; ability to explain technical conservation and legal matters in plain language.
Time management and project planning to meet bespoke deadlines and manage multiple commissions.
Problem-solving aptitude for reconstructing missing elements and devising creative conservation solutions.
Mentoring and teaching ability to train apprentices and junior craftspeople.
Collaborative mindset for working with curators, conservators, designers and external specialists.
Professionalism and confidentiality when working with high-value private collectors and institutional clients.
Adaptability to combine traditional handwork with small-scale machine processes where appropriate.
Customer service orientation with an emphasis on building long-term client relationships and repeat business.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus vocational training or apprenticeship in carving, jewelry benchwork, sculpture or conservation technician programs.

Preferred Education:

Diploma, associate degree or BA/BFA in Conservation, Fine Arts, Jewelry Design, Sculpture or a related craft discipline.
Formal coursework or certification in object conservation, cultural heritage law, or museum studies is highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Conservation and Restoration
Fine Arts (Sculpture, Carving)
Jewelry & Metalwork
Museum Studies / Heritage Conservation
Woodworking / Traditional Craft Apprenticeships

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–10 years of hands-on carving, restoration or jewellery bench experience; minimum 3 years preferred for independent commissions.

Preferred:

5+ years specifically working with small-scale organic materials (ivory, bone, horn, mammoth ivory or synthetic substitutes), including experience in restoration or museum collection work.
Proven portfolio of bespoke carvings, restorations or conservation projects with documented provenance handling and regulatory compliance.
Prior experience training apprentices or leading a small workshop is highly advantageous.