Ivory drinking horns were among the most beautiful and ornate examples of secular ivories.  They were called Oliphants, because the tusks of elephants were chiefly used in their manufacture.  In 1515 the Earl of Ormonde leaves in his will “a little white horn of ivory garnished at both ends with gold,” and in St. Paul’s in the thirteenth century, there is mention of “a great horn of ivory engraved with beasts and birds.”  The Horn of Ulphas at York is an example of the great drinking horns from which the Saxons and Danes, in early days, drank in token of transfer of lands; as we are told by an old chronicler, “When he gave the horn that was to convey his estate, he filled it with wine, and went on his knees before the altar... so that he drank it off in testimony that thereby he gave them his lands.”  This horn was given by Ulphas to the Cathedral with certain lands, a little before the Conquest, and placed by him on the altar.

Interesting ivories are often the pastoral staves carried by bishops.  That of Otho Bishop of Hildesheim in 1260 is inscribed in the various parts:  “Persuade by the lower part; rule by the middle; and correct by the point.”  These were apparently the symbolic functions of the crozier.  The French Gothic ivory croziers are perhaps more beautiful than others, the little figures standing in the carved volutes being especially delicate and graceful.

[Illustration:  PASTORAL STAFF; IVORY, GERMAN, 12TH CENTURY]

Before a mediaeval bishop could perform mass he was enveloped in a wrapper, and his hair was combed “respectfully and lightly” (no tugging!) by the deacon.  This being a part of the regular ceremonial, special carved combs of ivory, known as Liturgical Combs, were used.  Many of them remain in collections, and they are often ornamented in the most delightful way, with little processions and Scriptural scenes in bas-relief.  In the Regalia of England, there was mentioned among things destroyed in 1649, “One old comb of horn, worth nothing.”  According to Davenport, this may have been the comb used in smoothing the king’s hair on the occasion of a Coronation.

The rich pulpit at Aix la Chapelle is covered with plates of gold set with stones and ivory carvings; these are very fine.  It was given to the cathedral by the Emperor Henry II.  The inscription may be thus translated:  “Artfully brightened in gold and precious stones, this pulpit is here dedicated by King Henry with reverence, desirous of celestial glory:  richly it is decorated with his own treasures, for you, most Holy Virgin, in order that you may obtain the highest gain as a future reward for him.”  The sentiment is not entirely disinterested; but are not motives generally mixed?  St. Bernard preached a Crusade from this pulpit in 1146.  The ivory carvings are very ancient, and remarkably fine, representing figures from the Greek myths.

Ivory handles were usual for the fly-fan, or flabellum, used at the altar, to keep flies and other insects away from the Elements.  One entry in an inventory in 1429 might be confusing if one did not know of this custom:  the article is mentioned as “one muscifugium de pecock” meaning a fly-fan of peacock’s feathers!