Tortoiseshell facts for kids
Tortoiseshell is a special material that comes from the shells of large tortoises and turtles. It was mostly taken from the hawksbill sea turtle. Sadly, these turtles are now in big trouble. They are a critically endangered species, which means there aren't many left in the world. This is largely because people used to hunt them for their shells to make tortoiseshell.
The IUCN (a group that tracks endangered animals) says the hawksbill turtle is in great danger. The hawksbill's shell has large, colorful pieces called scutes, which made it perfect for this material. The unique patterns of tortoiseshell are so famous that even some cats, guinea pigs, and butterflies are named "tortoiseshell" because of their similar look!
Contents
What Was Tortoiseshell Used For?
For a very long time, people used tortoiseshell to make many different things. This happened in places like Europe, Asia, and North America. The trade of tortoiseshell was finally stopped in 2014.
People often used tortoiseshell in thin pieces. They made items such as:
- Combs for hair
- Small boxes and picture frames
- Fancy designs (called inlays) on furniture
- Frames for eyeglasses
- Guitar picks
- Knitting needles
Even though it was expensive, people loved tortoiseshell. They liked its beautiful spotted look, how strong it was, and how it felt warm against the skin.
How Tortoiseshell Was Made
Making tortoiseshell items was a special process. First, workers carefully separated the layers of the shell from the turtle's main body (called the carapace). They did this by heating the shell.
Next, they made the shell pieces soft by boiling them in salt water. Then, they flattened them using a press. If they needed to join two pieces, they used a hot iron to fuse them together. It was very important to be careful during these steps so the shell didn't lose its pretty colors.
Finally, the items were polished and finished. This work was often done by skilled craftspeople in Europe, the US, and various Asian countries.
Why Tortoiseshell Is No Longer Used
In 1973, a very important agreement called CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) banned the worldwide trade of tortoiseshell. This was done to protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtle.
Even before the ban, people often made fake tortoiseshell. They used materials like stained animal horn, plastic (like cellulose acetate), and other things. Today, these fake materials are still used. For example, a strong plastic called Delrin is often used to make guitar picks that look like tortoiseshell.
Some brands that make fake tortoiseshell include Tortoloid and Tor-tis.
A Look Back: History of Tortoiseshell
Tortoiseshell has been used for thousands of years! The ancient Greeks, for example, sometimes used a whole turtle shell to make the body of their musical instrument called a chelys or lyre.
Wealthy ancient Romans also loved tortoiseshell. They used thin pieces to decorate their furniture, especially couches for dining. An old book from the 1st century AD, called Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, even talked about different types of shell. It said the hawksbill shell was the best.
Famous Artists and Tortoiseshell
A famous French cabinetmaker named André Charles Boulle (who lived from 1642 to 1732) was very good at working with tortoiseshell. He worked for Louis XIV of France, a powerful king. Boulle created a special style called marquetry. This involved putting thin pieces of tortoiseshell, metal, and wood together to make beautiful patterns on furniture. This style is still named after him!
Small, fancy items like snuff-boxes were also decorated with tortoiseshell. Sometimes, they used a technique called piqué work. This meant putting tiny pieces of precious metals and jewels into the tortoiseshell to make even more beautiful designs.
