Ilex aquifolium (Holly, or European Holly to distinguish it from related species) is a species of holly native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia.
It is an evergreen tree growing to 10-25 m tall and 40-80 cm (rarely 1 m or more) trunk diameter, with smooth grey bark. The leaves are 5-12 cm long and 2-6 cm broad, variable in shape; on young plants and low branches, with three to five sharp spines on each side, pointing alternately upward and downward; on higher branches of older trees with few or no spines except for the leaf tip, often entire.
The wood is heavy, hard and white; one traditional use is (together with ebony) for chess pieces, with holly for the white pieces, and ebony for the black. Other uses include turnery, inlay work and as firewood.
Now that you (you know who you are) know what Holly wood is, let me educate you on what it isn't. Although someone must have told you that ivory comes from Holly trees, it does not. Ivory comes from mammals. The Holly wood bobbin divider pin with the pyrography art work that you keep having removed from Ebay, is not made from ivory--remember, wood and ivory are two completely different materials. If you don't believe me, go read up on Holly wood at Wikipedia.
As we did the last time you maliciously reported our items, we have turned this matter over to Ebay and they are now monitoring your activity. If you plan on continuing to do business there I suggest you spend your time in a more constructive way, like working on your own craft. Of course, if you are hoping for a vacation from Ebay, I guess your activity is a quick way to get one.
Oh, and one more thing, Dave says to tell you that he is flattered that you think his burn etching in Holly wood looks so much like scrimshaw on ivory!
Update! Dave just received an email from Ebay apologizing for wrongly removing his listing! They acknowledged that this person reported it maliciously--wonders never cease ;)
