I’m seeking information and a value for an ivory statue that I have had for 50 yrs. An importer confirmed that it is solid ivory (elephant because of the size), figure 8 ¾” tall, base 2”tall, 2 ¾” dia. He said that it was now illegal for me to own such a piece. He also said that it was unusual in that the figure was Christian not oriental or African. There is a perfect circular mark on the left shoulder that he suggest might be a plug and speculated that it could have been used for smuggling in a small hole beneath. The statue was purchased in the Panama Canal Zone. Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated, especially about the legal aspects and value.
2007-01-12 02:56:02 · 5 answers · asked by Sandy E 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
I didn't think it was illegal to own antique ivory. After all, many old pianos have ivory keys, and they're not illegal. I think only new ivory is illegal. If I were you I would find an art appraiser to find out the value.
2007-01-12 03:00:54 · answer #1 · answered by Morgan S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is a date that the international community widely accept that artefacts made from ivory can no longer be made ,im not too sure of the date but i believe it is around the 1970 s, ther will be info by some government department in the country that you live.
some countries have got a total ban on the importation of ivory (the UK) ON ANTIQUE IVORY IF YOU CAN PROVE AGE, THEN YOU ARE NOT BREAKING THE LAW, THAT SEEMS TO BE THE WATCHWORD.
If i owned such a piece i would not take the word of an importer without checking fully, there are such a lot of fakes about, and it seems odd that he would refer to smuggling, it could have been in the craftsmenship of the work elephant tusks are not uniform and the men who crafted such work often had to work with the chips that broke off in handling , i would also take the piece of work to a museam who could authenticate it as of the actual material, many sailors fashioned christian objects including christ from whale bone/ walrus tusk , appraisers from the large aution houses have antique experts who deal with scrimshaw work.
regards LF
2007-01-13 23:12:07 · answer #2 · answered by lefang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How could the poacher tutor that the ivory got here from an elephant that died from organic motives? throughout the time of this matter, you're deemed accountable till shown harmless. the only felony ivory is that taken in the previous the conservation rules have been in place. Proving provenance could or could no longer be common.
2016-12-13 03:50:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not illegal to own-it would be if it were new though. Unfortunately I can't remember if it would be illegal to sell it or not. Any reputable antique dealer in your area will be able to clear that up for you.
2007-01-12 03:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by tombollocks 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it's illegal to own such an item. go, anyway, to a specialist to have it evaluated.
2007-01-13 03:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by Ioana M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋