Xylonite collection
made in Australia 1910-1920s
Xylonite was first produced in 1875 – to imitate ivory. It was the first thermoplastic made – as an ivory substitute it was first used for knife handles and jewellery, then all manner of domestic products. Xylonite has tiny parallel striations of yellow and bone- which gives it a faux ivory look- although, interestingly- this was an accident. The manufacturers were attempting to create a timber-look-alike, so named the new celluloid product xylonite – ‘xylon’ being Greek for wood.
Whatever, the production of xylonite saved much real ivory being used. I first became interested in xylonite when I was researching bakelite [after first becoming interested in resin.] So I now have an abiding interest/affection for all types of vintage plastics.
This set of xylonite illustrates how- over time [and exposure to direct sunlight] the normally off-white plastic colour starts to yellow. And this is in excellent condition!- it is of course a hundred years old. The set comprises four lidded ladies boudoir containers, a boudoir tray, hair brush and pen knife and a gentleman’s stud container sans lid.
For the Xylonite collectors, this set is for sale: $AU325
re:retro 
Thanks for the history! For some reason I’ve never really looked into this but in my area we refer to what I think is the same stuff as French Ivory and in fact some of the pieces I’ve seen are marked as such. My mom has a bunch. I’d never heard it called xylonite!
how interesting – i imagine that ‘french ivory’ might be the propriety name?
I think it must have been the company name. But it’s just what folks around here call it. (I’m in Canada)