Title: Antique Chinese hand carved ivory book page knife paper opener
Shipping: $9.00
Artist: N/A
Period: 19th Century
History: N/A
Origin: N/A
Condition: Museum Quality
Item Date: 1800 to 1900
Item ID: 3814
Here is a gorgeous carved ivory letter opener or paper book knife. This tool was used as a book knife to cut the pages so they would not rip the book. Beautifully carved and designed in genuine antique IVORY, wonderfully detailed and very practical is this page book knife as well as being quite unique. Victorian Ivory Page Turner Cut Paper Book Knife. This is an elegant 19th Century Victorian ivory page turner, the handle embellished with Chinese designs. The Victorians used page turners to protect the pages of valuable books from damage; they were also used to protect the hands from newsprint and to cup the pages so they could be turned. Measurement: length: 12 inches. Condition: excellent; no chips or cracks; some yellow age spots on the blade.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_knife
A paper knife or letter opener is a knife-like object used to open envelopes or to slit uncut pages of books. Electric versions are also available, which work by using motors to slide the envelopes across a blade. These have the advantage of being able to handle a greater volume of envelopes, but the blade can slice into the contents of the envelope and damage them.
Letter openers may be composed of wood, metal, plastic, sometimes even ivory, or a combination of materials. Some modern openers have a hidden razor blade inside a plastic handle. In any case, the constant cutting of paper will eventually wear down cutting surfaces, requiring either sharpening or replacement.
