Tagua (tahg-wah) nuts are the dried seeds of the Tagua palm. They are known as 'vegetable ivory' because they are similar in texture to animal ivory. While the Tagua palm is native to Central and South America it has been exported to Africa where it is often used as a substitute for elephant ivory. These seeds were exported to China from Africa, then carved and dyed. Each piece has a symbol carved on the bottom that, I was told, means good fortune.