Avery Associates

House Clearance & Probate Valuation Services


  • HOME
  • HOUSE CLEARANCE
    • Probate House Clearance
    • House Clearance
    • FAQ
    • Hoarder House Clearance
    • Garden Clearance
    • Charity Donations
    • Recycling
    • House Clearance Gallery
    • Our Locations
  • PROBATE HELP
    • Probate Valuation Guide Fees & Advice
    • Probate House Clearance
    • Executors Information
    • Services For Solicitors
    • Our Locations
  • PROBATE VALUATIONS
    • Probate Valuation Explained
    • RICS House Valuation
    • Classic Cars
    • Jewellery
    • Coins
    • Books
    • Stamps
    • Vintage Toys
    • Records
  • REVIEWS
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Ivory – The Hot Debate

February 27, 2017 By Avery Associates

Calls For A Complete Ban On The Trade In Ivory

In the effort to control the legal sale of ivory, there is an increasing regulatory and legal squeeze being placed upon Auctioneers and Antique Dealers throughout the UK and Worldwide.

With calls for a complete ban on the trade in ivory, it is fast becoming a topic of debate, and with the slaughter of innocent elephants sadly continuing, the International community, Governments and Organisations such as DEFRA, and CITES are now faced with the daunting task of tackling the illegal trade and smuggling of ivory, but also trying to preserve the legitimate trade in ‘antique’, cultural and historical pieces of ivory from centuries past.

As the current law stands, for a piece of ivory to be sold legally, it must firstly be deemed to Pre date 1947 and importantly to have been ‘worked’. This means that it has to have been significantly altered from it’s natural state, irrespective of date ( ie changed for a piece of jewellery or a paper knife). To many this seems clear, but some argue that current guidance regarding the law is unclear. Only recently Christie’s were fined £3250 for trying to sell a banned Indian ivory tusk with silver mounts .Other auctioneers have suffered a similar fate and some have even been saboutaged by protestors who seek to promote their cause alongside public opinion. As a result of these recent rulings, a number of provincial auctioneers are now taking a very cautious approach regarding the sale of ivory all together.

As a consequence recent forums and discussions have been taking place with Auctioneers, Dealers and Campaigners trying to establish a status-quo/debate to consider the best way forward. All parties agree that the protection of the Wildlife Elephant is paramount, but if a blanket ban was introduced it could have a significant impact on legitimate dealers and businesses. For example it might effect dealers who deal in 18th/19th miniature paintings on ivory, pianos and applied ivory pieces such as ART deco figurines, 19th century Japanese ivory netsukes, inros, Indian Vizagapatam boxes, chess sets and countless other ‘antique items. If implemented, dealers may well go out of business.

In the meantime the slaughter of innocent elephants goes on. The effort therefore must be concentrated at the very source where the demand remains the highest – mainland China. It is here that the demand for ivory is at it’s greatest and until a policy of policing, education, implementation and enforcement is put in place, it will further fuel those seeking to profit from poaching of African elephants. As a correspondent quoted in the ATG (Antiques Trade Gazette) “The battlegrounds now are in the Far East and the killing fields of Africa and Asia where atrocities against elephants take place all the time”.

So as the debate goes on, how does the antiques industry address this issue and somehow seek a compromise with conservationists? Even Government is uncertain despite their pledge as part of their manifesto in 2014 to press for a total ban on ivory sales whilst also not seeking to end the trade in antique ivory. There is a collective responsibility on all parties but it is CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speciers and Wild Fauna and Flora) that enforces the illegal sale of ivory throughout the UK and Worldwide. It has very strict guidelines, and whilst there might be some uncertainty for some as to what is legal and illegal to sell, auctioneers and dealers should be well advised to understand the regulations and licences required to avoid prosecution.

David Greatwood

Filed Under: FAQS Tagged With: 'worked ivory', christies fined £3250, cities, defra, ivory ban

Our House Clearance Services

We provide a full house clearance and property management solution:

  • We clear hoarded houses, regardless how big or how cluttered
  • We clear all types and sizes of property, irrespective of location, or access is restricted or where parking is difficult or not available.
  • We can help avoid water damage by draining the central heating system.
  • We can secure the property and change the locks.
  • We can reinstate the gardens and maintain them whilst the property is empty.
  • We can provide 24 hour security to eliminate the risk of squatting or unlawful occupation.

As well normal house clearances we specialise in clutter clearance and we can clear a hoarded house which may contain years of accumulated possessions, or which have abnormal amounts of general household items, sometimes as a result of compulsive hoarding syndrome.

Equally we can help to clear a property where the occupants were previously unwell and unable to care for themselves or their property which sometimes results in insanitary, dangerous or just plain unpleasant conditions.

More info

What We Do

Get A Quick Quote

Client Reviews

Oct 6, 2020
by Edward Harvey on Avery Associates
Probate Contents Valuation London

Dear Jeffrey, Following your recent valuations, one for the property and the other for personal belongings etc, at the property in Lower Road London... Read More

Oct 5, 2020
by Mr Wood on Avery Associates
House Clearance In Oxford

Dear Jeff. I can not thank you enough . The house clearance wen like clock work. What a great team you sent me. Mr Wood

Oct 5, 2020
by Michael Hasning on Avery Associates
House Clearance Abingdon

“Avery Associates have supported me as the Executor to my late mother’s estate. In the first instance I found their website an excellent source of information... Read More

Page 1 of 38:
«
 
‹
 
1
2
3
›
 
»
 

Share, Email or Print

Looking For Something?

Our Latest News & Advice

  • What is the Difference Between Probate Value and Market Value?
  • A More Holistic Approach to Animal Hoarding
  • How Covid-19 Affects the Way We Do Our Probate Work


Avery Associates
291 Mitcham Rd
Tooting SW179JQ

Tel: 0800 567 7769 or 0208 640 0044

Services provided throughout London and the Home Counties. View our clearance case studies.


Website Terms | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Copyright © 2005-2018 Avery Associates
Website Development by Avara Web Media