De minimis: objects that would not pass the ‘up to 10%’ rule
1. An Art Deco silver teaset with ivory handles and finials (Viners, Sheffield 1935) sold by Hansons in London for £700 in February.
2. A bronze and ivory Ferdinand Preiss figure Con Brio, sold for £11,000 at Tennants in November 2017.
3. A set of 12 silver fish knives and forks (Martin Hall, Sheffield 1928) sold for £220 at Tennants in February 2018.
4. This Victorian silver stilton scoop with spiral turned ivory handle sold for £260 at Cottees. But under the new law, would it be considered the best of its type?
‘Rarest and most important of their type’
5 & 6. A German 19th century silver mounted tankard sold for £7200 at Tennants in March 2017 and a George III toothpick box sold for £420 at Woolley & Wallis in January. Would they be considered items of “outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value”?
7. Less than 100 years old, this pair of Ferdinand Preiss figures (one shown) sold by Matthew Barton for £2800 in 2017 would not qualify for the ‘rarest and most important items of their type’ exemption.
ATG’s guide to the UK Ivory Ban
