First Breath
For years I have loved this tooth and for years I have wondered what to do with it. I cannot remember where I came across it but I believe it used to belong to a cave bear. The part which lies below the gum is a finely-grained ivory but the top has a hard enamel shell which is too hard to carve with steel tools.

Imagine my delight, then, when one day recently I realized I was looking at a recently born seal pup, helpless and hungry and that all I had to do was to liberate it.

The cracks in the material, which have been there as long as I have had the tooth, somehow enhance the carving, giving it a romance, a history I was anxious to preserve. I am pleased with the charm of this carving.