3D-printed ‘digital ivory’ saves antique artworks – and maybe elephants

A synthetic material that looks identical to elephant ivory and which can be 3D-printed at high resolution – dubbed ‘Digory’ for ‘digital ivory’ – has been used to restore historic art works that included ivory.

Researchers say it will be almost invaluable for restoration projects – genuine elephant ivory was often used in important artworks, especially in ancient China, for thousands of years – and that greater awareness of its use could help prevent the poaching that threatens the survival of wild elephants in many parts of the world. ‘There shouldn’t be a demand for animal-sourced ivory at all. There are so many alternatives,’ says Thaddäa Rath of the Technical University of Vienna. ‘No piece of jewelry or decoration is worth the death of a single animal.’