A different approach to exploration

Always readily available, cheap and with excellent technical characteristics bone, horn, and antler historically have been used in production of an almost endless variety of objects. With the invention of plastics, these natural materials rapidly fell out of use so much so that for a modern man they are strange and unknown.

We, the [really] small team of The Black Market of the White Bones, are studying all the aspects of how bone, horn, and antler were used and worked in the medieval and early modern era. And we accomplish it not so much at the writing desk as in our workshop. Such an approach to exploration of these unknown materials nowadays is surprisingly uncommon Read more... The result of this work is not only unique first hand experience and knowledge , but also replicas of most incredible array of medieval and early modern era objects (see section ''Gallery'' ) .

We mostly concentrate our efforts on the time period from the 14th to the 16th century and generally fit our interests in the geographic borders of the Baltic sea region. Nevertheless, the times between the 9th to 13th centuries are also not strange to us and we have even made a replica of a Roman comb once, a replicas of Pictish combs... and some 19th-century trinkets some other time.

Following the use of these materials, one can also catch a glimpse of many aspects of medieval everyday life itself and the material culture that it involved.  We hope that this place, the Black Market, will induce curiosity in you (or light the flame of the existing one yet brighter) to explore, research, and inquire.

The Black Market of the White Bones                     is a meeting place

As with every good old market, also this digital version is about meeting each other. Of course,  each and every ''only watcher'' is warmly welcome too. A market is the source and the center of many a good thing.

Our Blog is intended as the main section of this site where you can meet us in our latest adventures and discoveries or look back to some earlier experiences re-posted here from our good old Facebook page. This is certainly a place for readers.

Equally important is the section ''Contact us'' where, again, we can meet you.  Your questions, suggestions, and any other expressions are always dearly welcome. No worries, if you read this through ''Google translate'', we will understand your English, Latvian, Spanish, French, and, although not so well, your Italian too. Feel free!

Resources

In the section ''Resources'' you will find an ample menu of inspiring bits and pieces that we have gathered here from all around the digital world and further. A minuscule goldmine for those interested in history, art, technology, and philosophy.


Woodblock

We have a hobby too.

The section ''Woodblock''  tells about a hobby of ours that you might find interesting as well. A pleasant opposite to rough handwork, Woodblock prints are not so much a material thing, as an idea, a story, or even a feeling and a poetry in black and white.


Fanbase

If something clicks in a way that makes you want to tattoo our logo on your shoulder - don't do it without looking into our Fanbase first.  

The Black Market of the White Bones                   is a marketplace

 We all are used to the consumption of industrial goods and to the very simple and straightforward way between supply and demand that such consumption involves. But should craftsmanship with its handmade or even one-of-a-kind objects try to mimic the marketing of industrial goods? We do not think so.

Acquiring of craftsman's work is something beyond adjusting the number of items and then pressing the button ''Buy''. No matter how short, it should involve conversation. We are creators, we can make a replica specially for you or adjust some specific detail for you to an item we have already made. We may remember that we can offer you something we already made years ago and still haven't shown to the wider world. We can help you in your scientific research or be interested in buying some, let's say, whalebone from you. There can be myriads of possibilities and options... Therefore - The Black Market, a different approach to trade and exchange - knock and it shall be opened.

We are seldom openly offering something for sale. Whatever you have seen on this page you can easily get by contacting us. If there is something on your mind that you haven't found here contact us as well to see if we can make it specially for you.  

The Black Box project

Our Black Box project is basically a so-called ''mystery box'' that we offer from time to time. Anyhow, you can ask for it also without waiting for the next announcement ( in the Blog ) of the  current run of these soot-black and obscure wonders.


Shipping and such

We are based in Latvia. No matter where you may happen to be, we trust we can reach you anywhere. Ask us for the shipping prices to your country.

Of corse, none of this apply to the borderless realm of Russia - we do not even whant to know where that is. Search in your capital - Muhosransk for simmilar services without analogues and  - Heil Putler yourself.

Vade mecum

Every brain is a field where nature sows the seeds of thought, and the crop depends upon the soil.