Ivory is probably one of the most beautiful natural resources in the world but with the bloodiest history. About 20,000 elephants are killed annually by poachers just to acquire the ivory tusks that make up the illegal ivory trade. Of course, with rising awareness, most countries have banned the sale of any kind of ivory. Antique ivory, however, is still available with dealers and collectors and an active trade still exists as these products are a part of our cultural heritage.
What kind of antique ivory is still available for sale or purchase?
Elephant ivory was extensively used to decorate furniture and household accessories in the past. Small decorative objects or objects d’art for personal use in the form of powder boxes, combs, buttons, etc. were very popular. In fact, archaeologists have found ivory from Greece and Egypt dating as far back as 1600 BC. Ivory featured in several cultures during ancient times as elephants roamed Africa and Asia in millions. As a result, antique ivory products are still available with small collectors, museums and with ivory dealers.
How do I recognize antique products over poached or illegal products?
Newer ivory may be disguised as antique by artificial aging and are available for sale. However, most of these artificially aged items are of low value and of poor quality. General auctioneers do not pick up these items for sale. However, products for tourists made in Africa and India during the 1950’s and 1960’s tend to be difficult to identify and age. If you are a frequent traveler, it’s a good idea to be vary of ivory products purchased from these countries. We also recommend buying ivory products from a recognized dealer. Antique dealers are required by law to have complete documentation or provenance regarding the product’s history. This documentation will list when the ivory was sourced and produced.
What do I do with legally owned ivory that I have inherited?
Selling antiques is possible through an antique dealer, however, documentation about its origin may be required. Products like furniture with ivory inlays, portrait miniatures, and museum pieces are exempted from online trading and country-specific bans. Online sales through eBay, Etsy and Amazon is also possible. However, sales of antiques through these online sites is a little unclear.
Before you consider buying or selling your inherited antique ivory, we recommend checking your country’s rules and regulations. For example, the UK has strict regulations on the ivory trade.
