When did ivory become popular?

Ivory became popular in various cultures around the world for thousands of years, but its significant rise in demand occurred during the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, and Rome, where it was prized for its beauty and use in art and decoration. The popularity surged further in the 19th century during the Victorian era, especially in Europe and America, as it was used for piano keys, billiard balls, and jewelry. However, this high demand has led to severe overexploitation of elephants, resulting in significant conservation concerns and international bans on ivory trade in recent decades.