Endangered species: ivory

MADAM – Re: ivory ban. I would very much like to add my tuppence worth to this ongoing issue.

MADAM – Further to the distortion of ivory figures by separate piano keys (News, ATG No 2364): surely they are further distorted by the 32 pieces in a chess set, 144 pieces in a Mahjong set, or indeed the 23 balls in an antique snooker set.

MADAM – We have a once fine upright piano in our salerooms, sadly rejected now at three successive sales.

An amendment to the ivory bill raised in the House of Lords will limit the powers of accredited civilian officers.

MADAM – It is with some interest and concern that I read in ATG No 2362 of the new restrictions being proposed to government by BADA on the trade in rhino horn.

MADAM – I reply to the letter from Louise Ravula and Jane Alexandra (ATG No 2359) on a number of points they made about the antiques industry's attitude to the forthcoming ivory ban.

Collectors and sellers of antique ivory are being told that the ivory ban is unlikely to become law before spring 2019, a longer lead-time than originally thought.

MADAM – It was unfair and misleading of Louise Ravula and Jane Alexandra, of Two Million Tusks, to identify the Alastair Gibson petition as “pro-ivory trade”.

MADAM – Could you please update us on the forthcoming ivory ban: if passed, does it become law that day or will the new rules apply later? Richard Gardiner, Chichester.

MADAM – The views expressed by your correspondents Louise Ravula and Jane Alexandra (ATG No 2359) cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged.

No amendments were accepted on behalf of the trade during the latest House of Lords debate on the bill.

MADAM – As representatives of Two Million Tusks, we are writing to express our profound disappointment at ATG’s promotion of Alastair Gibson’s pro-ivory trade petition [Editor writes: petition is to increase the proposed de minimis exemption for antique ivory from 10% to 50%].

The UK government will ensure that ivory regulations are balanced and with “appropriate exemptions”, the new minister for arts, heritage and tourism told the Art Business Conference last week.

MADAM – I read the letter from Gavin Littaur (ATG No 2355, August 25) and the letter of the previous edition from Nick Silver (ATG no 2354, August 18) with more than a little puzzlement.