ANTIQUE IVORY BAN. NEW LAW / WARNING!

Your antique ivory is now illegal! Even some musical instruments are illegal! The IVORY law has just changed in the UK. So, before you attempt to buy or sell any antique Ivory product, no matter how small and in fact any antique item that contains an element of ivory, you need to understand what you can and cannot sell…unless, you want to go to jail!
As well as the obvious carvings, the new Ivory laws also include items of furniture, boxes, musical instruments …even silver tea sets!
I’ll explain the law to you and show you examples as we go through it. I don’t want you to make a mistake here, as you could be prosecuted if you do, so watch to the end!
Let me know what you think of the new 2022 ivory law/ban. Will it help elephants and people in Africa today? Is it fair, will it work? Should we have gone another route? I’m really interested to hear your thoughts.
Cheers
David Harper
Notes:
It is still legal to own ivory. So, if you have bought antique ivory legally in the past, or inherited it, you are not breaking the law by keeping it. The law applies to buying or selling ivory from now on.
Disclaimer: This is as I understand the new 2022 Ivory Law to be. I cannot be responsible for any mistakes. Please make sure you double check any of this information before you attempt to buy or sell any ivory or items containing ivory.
Antique, or art related questions? Free advice from BBC TV’s David Harper! Leave a comment, or email me here
www.david-harper.uk
IVORY BAN. New 2022 LAW / URGENT
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[@dougmcartin3881]

I suspect all those £20 fees will go toward expanding the existing bureaucracy that regulates the ivory trade. After all they are going to need more inspectors and enforcement agents to implement these new laws. Way too much room for subjective interpretation on what constitutes "the highest artistic quality and historic significance." Have you ever heard two so called "art experts" argue over the authenticity of a painting? The bottom line of course is that these laws will do nothing to help the elephants or any other ivory bearing animal.

[@Teleman01]

Overall they went WAY too far with ivory laws all over the world.

[@taylorhamilton6272]

not in alaska lol

[@skiracer]

Dear David Harper, thank you for the information video. Ivory insulators on a pot handle. This is one of the reasons I watch your videos. Learn something new every time! Thank you

[@deniselovell1096]

This new law will have no impact on me personally but it seems a very complicated, unweildy and expensive way of doing things! What is the reasoning behind scrapping the existing system (apart from raking in all those £20 fees)?

[@OriginalNethead]

The new British laws have turned your nice ivory carvings into pet rocks. (sigh) Welcome to my world. I'm in part of the USA where you really can't sell any ivory at all. Lots of antique silver is already being scrapped if it contains ivory, because we really can't sell it otherwise without removing the ivory, and having it still worth around scrap anyway. Might as well melt it. Musical instruments are OK with a little ivory bit or two. Maybe. Ivory sculptures and jewelry are right out, unless they're museum grade and you're selling to a museum. (maybe at auction too with fancy documentation.) They're fine to own and fine to gift, but not to sell. I'm seeing a bunch of antique dealers in back rooms straight out of American Prohibition in the 1920s. Pretty much the same situation but with even grayer hair. A product with a demand has gone from legal to illegal overnight, which hasn't eliminated demand. So.... back doors and passwords? 😂😂😂

[@johnbrowning741]

Methinks you need to re read what you don't know is and isn't.

[@OriginalNethead]

@@johnbrowning741 A. I'm in the USA. Different rules in each State, and the British ones flopped about like landed fish for a while. B. I'm a jewelry dealer and know what I'm about thank you. C. Go be rude elsewhere. David doesn't need it and neither do I.

[@donna6193]

Remember to “Speak Easy”, my fren🤫🫣👀

[@sallyhinkley1177]

David you are always ahead of the game, thank you

[@kristianferencik8685]

I dont get why not just herd and breed elephants and when one kicks the bucket then collect the ivory. Protects them from poachers, keeps there numbers up and doesn't cause harm to the elephant.

[@donna6193]

I’ve often wondered about this possible scenario, myself. However, I’m of the opinion we’re too late to the Elephant Breeder’s Cup, though, because the survivors of the Soylent Green Global Culling will be needing all the vegetation. Sorry. Will they televise the great culling?

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Wouldn't this just increase the size of the blackmarket for Ivory and then that could involve counterfeits made from modern ivory, being sold on, as it's harder to be properly checked by an expert due to the new illegality.

[@Petrizdazzle]

Of course it will. Not necessarily the slaughtering of elephants, but just the black market for ivory objects. And probably just some will get caught.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

We need to repel the laws against ivory trade from elephant's that were hunted in the past. They're tyrannical and evil. I love ivory so other people shouldn't have the right to tell me what I can do and stop me from enjoying things I like As long as new elephants aren't hunted, there's nothing wrong with Ivory

[@venice9438]

Very informative, thank you. So much for selling my hundred-year-old German prayer book with ivory on the cover...Can't believe you dropped that double bass!

[@thomaspearson1516]

Whilst I believe the trade of ivory objects before a certain age should be a legal practice, I do think it is reasonable to say that the only way this can happen is through regulation. However, per usual - these new regulations only serve to benefit those bodies issuing certificates. More weight would be behind the fees if they would clearly state how much £ of each certificate is going back to conservation programmes. I believe if they did this sellers would be less inclined to head to the black market. However, right now I can only imagine deals behind closed doors will greatly increase.

[@sjt609]

That was REALLY interesting, and once again, I found your vlog to be educational too. So true, I can only imagine how much antique silver will be melted down in the near future. Pity! ❤️Thank you David! Love your KZbin channel.

[@donna6193]

I’m absolutely floored to learn of these new Ivory laws! I shed a tear, or two when eBay (yes, I’m one of those shoppers, lol) banned them from auction. Maybe almost 20 years ago, I think. I have a few small pieces from my marriage and I still love them. Guess I have to turn myself in to the TUSK authorities, eh. I even joined the W.W.F. International because I started to have twinges of guilt. I won’t be so uncouth as to swear on such a nice site….but I certainly would know what to do with one of those Mammoth Tusks‼ Say, wonder if I would still have to give up my 20 Pounds of flesh? This “Save the Earth/Green Energy “ will be the death of all of us…..no kidding.

[@19gregske55]

Silversmiths are at-the-ready to remove ivory finials and insulators. Fruitwood, horn, bakelite et.al are viable substitutes.

[@SMMottershead]

They would have been better just adding a Tax on ivory sales of 10% and that would have helped a lot more. This law is just a nuclear and destroies everything.

[@TheDailyDigestion]

Great video!! Thank you!!

[@cyndeewenzel6439]

My Aunt had tables with ivory on them. So sad about the elephants that died to make them. Thanks for all the information about selling ivory!

[@blenny47]

Love your presentation David lovely.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Thank you kindly

[@69goldtop14]

Criminals made those laws

[@donna6193]

Very nice site and information! Loved reading the posts. I do have a question regarding proper identification of Ivory--and that has to do with the “cross-hatching” that is an inherent part of Ivory. I was waiting for you to mention it. This has always been my way of gauging Ivory vs. bone. Perhaps I’m wrong or partly wrong on this???

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Yes you’re right and I cover the identification in an earlier video on my channel. “ivory or Bone’ Thanks

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Is this ban sensible? What do you think?

[@OriginalNethead]

I can't print my actual reaction. What stark raving nutter thought THOSE rules were useful?

[@adriaan4467]

I do feel so, especially as you explained it. It sounds ridiculously complicated and expensive to sell ivory, which is just the way to stop 'antique' ivory from being marketed. You'll find the British shops may be light on these modern 'antiques', but the web certainly isn't. When it comes to enforcement, I feel it unlikely that constables will do regular inspections on physical stores, but the online trade will be severely limited by this sort of rule. The rules are heavily aimed at purely decorative pieces of ivory of less than exceptional quality, that could easily be made in bone, resin or stone. These items should not have been produced, and it is time for their presence in the marketplace to end, as the relationship between supply and demand is bidirectional. I do not share your concerns for silver tea sets. The example you showed is far too fine to be molten down of course, but many of these old silver tea sets are fairly plain, have no artistic or historical value and should rightly have been recycled into something useful long ago. Finally, some of the carvings on your table would brighten the display cases of any small county museum, and I'm sure you will not have a hard time getting a local curator to agree in writing at the cost of a cuppa.

[@adriaan4467]

Oh but wonderful video as always and thank you for sharing, would not have been aware without you =)

[@hansemannluchter643]

“Remember, remember the 5th of November" Enjoy your bug-burger and have a happy-happy joy-joy day..

[@puffkat68]

That is just stupid, and a money grab. I expect an underground network to be getting these pieces out of the UK to be sold else where very soon. The border guards and the post offices better be good, I don't know if you can tell ivory on a scan.,I think this is going to make things a lot harder for everyone buyers, sellers, and regulators. Why was this law changed?

[@donna6193]

IMHO, greed for a select few.

[@northover5023]

you got some nice furniture and paintings

[@mikeray353]

You got some great videos!

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Cheers Mike

[@stuartforsyth4279]

It seems very much a bureaucratic money making exercise, the fact it is being applied in such an extremely retrospective manner is a give away on that. For me people trading in pre-CITES objects has no impact on current survival of elephants anywhere and post-CITES ban would have impacted on trading in new ivory. The conservation organisations give conflicting info on poaching and even suggest some populations are thriving, I wonder how much impact is due to habitat decline and deforestation compared to poaching. I would have thought that allowing current legislative practices in buying and selling would impact on the desire for new ivory?. As you say if the collected fees were going towards habitat conservation , controls on poaching and maybe encouraging tourism as an alternative income source then the changes might seem more logical. I’m also confused with the remit of this, as it is a result of BREXIT some of the stuff I read seems to only speak about trading with Europe and Northern Ireland, does that mean trading with any other country defaults back to CITES?

[@donna6193]

You have a lot in innate Wisdom, my fren 🫵🙋‍♀😘

[@cleverclogs2244]

Any ivory objects produced before the 1972 ban should be saleable - I have a stunning and important 1950s pencil with a carved ivory barrel, gold hardware, and inlaid with coral - completely illegal to sell - I will end up scrapping the hardware. It will be a dismissal of the designer and craftsmen's skill, and seem like a final insult to the poor elephant. It ought, instead, to be cherished by a collector of fine writing implements...

[@0210rokvist]

Totally bonkers, but how to do it right?

[@1212look]

But you can give it away for free ? And receive a gift in return ? LOL

[@dogrjohn]

Dear Sir, thank you so much for the informations. I inherited a month ago and among there is a lot of ivory, should I throw everything away?😬

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

No need to. you can keep it, but you just can’t sell it

[@shangtsung9973]

I know somebody with ivory eyeglasses things cost alot of money

[@kgallowaypa]

5:38 aaaaaand there goes all its value haha

[@yigezhang8774]

Hi David, I have one small carved piece at 2-fingers-size that is suspected to be bone or ivory. It was gifted from a friend to me, and does not have any certificate etc. I do not plan to sell it and don't understand what it is. I am moving home to Switzerland and is it okay to take it in hand/checked luggage? Will the boarder guard say sth? Thank you!

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I’m not sure about that, a Google search will probably tell you. You dont want it confiscated!

[@yigezhang8774]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesTV I cannot find anything about taking it on board. All articles and Gov.uk websites are about trading instead of inherited.

[@jlr3636]

If a piece is illegal to sell is it also illegal to own ? Is it illegal to destroy or does it have to be documented before destruction ?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

It’s legal to own, just not to buy. So, if you already own a piece, then that’s absolutely fine. You can destroy it if you like, you don’t need to prove anything…but I wouldn’t. I’d keep it and admire it for its artistic merits

[@pscampoamor]

Thanks for the information. I recently inhereted a carved ivory piece from Kenya, circa 1960s, almost exactly the same as the curved piece you hold at the end of this video. I would like to sell it. How do I know if it's considered to be of the highest cultural/artistic value you mention?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

That rule applies to the earlier pieces. Any ivory carving post 1947 is illegal to sell under all circumstances. One to keep I’m afraid

[@pscampoamor]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesTV Right. But it looks like you own two. These are Makonde "tree of life" statuettes, correct? How can I properly date it if I don't have any document of sale? Just curious

[@michaelpriest]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesTV Coming soon will be a black market, making it worth even more. Not to worry.

[@drprepper8229]

We Inherited a Syrian corner cabinet with what we presumed was mother of Pearl inlay . Local auctioneers are saying it’s ivory ? They haven’t seen it in person , everything I see online says mother of Pearl. Does this mean we are now stuck with this cabinet? We ware in west midland and wanted to sell as we are downsizing . Would love to hear from you .

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Hi, there is a video on my channel showing how to tell if an item is ivory. Mother of Pearl will have an iridescent look to it and generally the finish will not be flat in all areas - the auction should be able to tell from a photo

[@chrisclarke4541]

Is this just elephant ivory or also walrus ivory or ivory from any kind of animal?

[@TheOrignalCarpe]

In your tea set description , I am under the impression you can register a 'set' as one item. Provided it is an original set and was all made at the same time. In fact I think tea sets are used as an example of a 'set' in the legislation. I still do not see what was wrong with the old law, prior to these new laws, the antique trade would not touch anything even possibly pre 1947'. I know several dealers who have reported suspicious items being offered for sale, this legislation has effectively removed a major source of information on the people trying to sell illegal ivory,

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I think each item needs to be registered separately? There’s a video I made with Elstob Auctioneers a few months ago looking at that very problem and we discuss it

[@TheOrignalCarpe]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesTV Interesting, is there a link to that video as I am unable to locate it? Following on from your reply, I have re-read the guidance and still read it the original way, I have also spoken to the Department of Environment, where the person I spoke to seems to read the guidance the same way I do. The guidance states. 'You can register or certify a set of objects as a single item, if both the following apply: (1) All the objects were produced at the same time with the intention of being kept and used together: (2) All the objects you are selling or hiring out were part of the same original set. Normally, I would not question this type of statement but when you are held up as an expert, people will automatically accept your opinion so it is important that it is correct, which it may very well be, I am just trying to understand how I read the guidance incorrectly.

[@marniethethief2574]

you might be able to sale, but not crossing international frontiers . museums are very careful to loan specific objects because you never know what can happen in customs...

[@annmariehall4973]

I know some one that have one and he is selling it to help with a childern home ,he needs someone to buy it

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Tell him not to attempt to sell it…he’ll be prosecuted!

[@leoaguirre3460]

So then your collection is a "stay at home" collection - worth nothing for the resale market. So, can you "trade" a piece for example - for a violin or something you deem worth trading for? Can you "give away" the pieces to your daughter lets say before one passes away? I only hear you can't sell any of your pieces or am I wrong. Thanks Leo

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I’m certain you can not trade it, as that would be seen as a sale, but yes I’m pretty sure you can give ivory away to family

[@durchlaucht7050]

Absolutely ABSURD law!! RUBBISH!!!!

[@pedrosousa8971]

Just a new tax... idiotic.

[@softmetals3702]

nice work David we enjoy your videos some more than others when it comes to the treasure hunt of trying to see just what watch you are wearing from time to time(see what i did there) maybe a wrist check is in order

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I do like my watches!

[@brockheaton4015]

is that chest of drawers made of pool table rails?

[@shanejamesmccann5858]

Is it illegal to own it still, or just to sell it?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Still legal to own, just illegal to sell

[@kennethakin271]

They cannot do that to people who own ivory before the law came into effect because it’s private property.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

They can

[@guncaine1]

Swop your ivory for something you like... that's not selling 😂

[@jimbelle3087]

So can you sell the furniture and give them the ivory for free?

[@wuldntuliktonoptb6861]

We gotta save the woolly mammoths they’re all getting killed off for their fossilized ivory.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Good point…I’ll make some cardboard signs on sticks and let’s go marching!

[@jleb22]

David are we going to be able to sell pieces before June. I have some stunning 18th century ivory

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I’m afraid not. Unless they’re the finest of the finest, imperial, museum quality and checked by a museum, they’ll be illegal!

[@jleb22]

OK do you know what Gorringes are talking about as they just sent me an email saying it can't be sold after June 2022? I did show one of my pieces to Gordon Lo at Sothebys who thought it was very very fine but they refused to sell it.

[@jleb22]

Have they just postponed the 24th Feb date until June?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

@@jleb22 hmm, well, as far as I know it’s from now (24th) unless something has changed. You’re best to check with them

[@jleb22]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesTV OK many thanks and thanks for the excellent channel.

[@19gregske55]

What about all of the glorious sets of bagpipes in Scotland, and the 🌎 world 🗺 !?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

All destined to be destroyed! Bonkers

[@gysforeign7802]

I have a miniature painting of Napoleon from 1807 by Horace Vernet r u telling me I can’t sell my inheritance?????

[@gysforeign7802]

It’s painted in ivory

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Miniatures on ivory are still legal (at the moment) as long as it’s surface area is less than 320cm and pre dates 1918. I’ll put you in touch with an auction if you want to sell it

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

This law is wrong and unethical. You can't ban ivory from elephants that were killed in the past. Specially the height of the ivory trade, which the most beautiful pieces are from. Faux ivory from deer antlers or whatnot are not the same thing! Are not as luxurious!!!

[@mrinvisible9175]

I have a carved ivory head piece … it was left to me in inheritance…where can I sell it? How can I sell it? … I can send you photos of it if you give me an email address etc. please advise.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

All the info you need is in the video

[@seanmcdonald4686]

Wow, you dropped your wife’s father’s upright bass, on camera.. daaaaammmmnn…. I felt physical pain in my stomach when it hit the floor. I hope he wasn’t too angry with you…

[@amcescalantevlog4377]

I have two pairs of ivory....have can I sell this??

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Depends where you are in the world, but I doubt it very much. The ivory laws I talk about relate to Britain.

[@lucilaromero7444]

This absurd law is not going to help any elephant anywhere. Don't the authorities have more pressing issues (hunger, poverty, illnesses, no. 10 covid parties...) to legislate about?

[@kathleensue1]

I wonder if any royals own ivory.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

They did have a large collection of artworks made from ivory

[@Neil2022]

Safe to say the new ivory laws are bonkers.

[@wills242]

The fact that bass is not in tune hurts me

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

It’s loved, but not played!

[@213kidangel]

totalitarianism

[@vliealonso]

It’s monopoly. Just like climate change it’s got nothing to do with the environment.

[@marniethethief2574]

easy to see how much you appreciate your father in law...

[@Petrizdazzle]

I think it then would be better just to totally forbid to buy and sell ivory. Everyone just keeps the ivory they have or just give it away.

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Wrong!!! Nobody should have the right to do that, that's an infringement of people's right you know Ivory is such a great material, if you haven't held an ivory art piece on your hands or even seen it in person before you can't understand why is Ivory lovers love it so much. It's a very luxurious material

[@englandmatchboxlensey1822]

Dear David Harper plz help me i am pakistani biggest collection matcbox lesney visit to uk

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Sounds interesting. How many do you have and are you bringing them the England?

[@amcescalantevlog4377]

No...I'm from Philippines....it's a gift from my Steph father...but I want to sell this...and I really don't no how.

[@helenabiesma5560]

thank god I stayed away from Ivory and prefer seashell or bone - and I think the elephants should be left to life and all along nowadays we have everything to our use - like plastics and wood etc, I think I owe one ivory handle of a stove - somewhere from the castle

[@donna6193]

You do you and churn out all that plastic that circles f.o.r.e.v.e.r in our OCEANS!!! I’ll do me and go with glass that can be used and reused til it breaks. Glass disposal is non-toxic to our environment, knuckle-head.

[@johnbrowning741]

Ha,Ha Ha Ha , So now we in the USA can keep on laughing as you lose another of your RIGHTS. Think , it was a mistake to give up your first right???? Next, they invoke the first Night, as the english did as it was portrayed in the movie Braveheart.

[@donna6193]

Friend….”they” don’t consider us human, sorry to say.

[@TheVelvetLoungeLife]

If people weren't greedy and show offs, just imagine the laws would not be required but they are require. Ergo, I support them. Who are we as humans to decimate other living organisms. Especially just to have things, it's absurd. If people truly value the already existing items they'll pay the $20 per for the certificates.

[@donna6193]

Instead of eating zee bugs you shall eat zee copralite…and you vill be happy.

[@cmw184]

Glad i dont live there holy fuck

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

This law is now just about the same anywhere in the western world

[@louloumagoo2512]

Any positive steps taken to help protect the beautiful, intelligent animals that are elephants are steps in the right direction. Absolutely. Yes! Making it more problematic for people to buy, possess, and/or sell ivory is preventative to harvesting it. No market, no need to produce.

[@hansemannluchter643]

So, the elephants killed 100 years ago will magically come back to life because of this? This law does NOTHING to stop poaching, poachers are criminals and as such, they don't care about laws.

[@Dan-xx5jq]

Save the elephants! Please learn about how many elephants we have lost in the last decade!!! PLEASE don't be selfish elephants are dying for this trade. People are passing new ivory for old ivory. I love most the ivory pieces but I rather go see them in a museum than know I contributed in the killing of an elephant. It is the moral thing not to acquire any more because you will never be able to sell it. I have been to Kenya and have seen first hand the horror show that is going on. And it is all over Africa. Many Chinese nationals have been caught smuggling the ivory out of Africa. African leaders can easily be corrupted because their countries are desperately poor. They are willing to sacrifice the elephants for the lives of their people..Unfortunately people are breeding like rats all over the world. it is causing so much harm to our animals. I was lucky to see one of the last White Rhino's to exist in Kenya. I have pictures of me leaning next a guy called Marino, he was so timid. He had 4 private security guards providing protection 24 hours day and night. Sadly, Marino died. And not long after the couple more died....and it was the end of the species in our life time!! We did that!!! Our greed did that!! We wiped out an entire species forever!! When will we stop for God's sake, when???

[@craftingwithcarter2261]

I think these laws might work because a lot of modern ivory is sold as old ivory.

[@fraomedinaii2095]

I have an old ivory chess set and a Mongolian warrior carved that ivory both been authenticated here in the United States by experts but I could care less about the law fuck the law they can't act on what they don't know

[@fraomedinaii2095]

Of course there's a charge more bureaucratic bulshit