What do you do with an antique silver tea set with ivory handles?

[@ms.c.j.]

The rules have become absolutely ridiculous. I totally agree that the trade in new ivory needs to stop, you yourself did a great job in explaining the situation in the show you did about it a few years back. What we needed was more educated buyers & sellers, not this.

[@eddieharris6004]

We need better informed lawmakers if we are to prevent the destruction of this part of our cultural heritage, smarter government ministers than those seduced by slick campaign voices such as World Wildlife Fund.

[@ms.c.j.]

@@eddieharris6004 agree 100% with this. I’d go even further to say the population needs to be better educated too, so as to see through political showboating, deceptive practices, and slight of hand, to elect representatives who truly have the wherewithal to do the right thing.

[@damianleah6744]

Pre 1947 is ok ? Change the handles, is it worth it ? I actually think it looks lovely and more importantly you can actually use it.

[@nancybyrd5917]

Possibly add a suitable serving tray to the lot and you then minimize the proportion of ivory...if I am understanding the dilemma properly.

[@Neil2022]

Fascinating. Thanks David.

[@seana2646]

And just like magic the world of 3'D printing makes its way into antiques. A half decent home printing kit will be able to scan those handles & print out identical shaped versions for very little cost. They can even print out the lines & faults found on the originals. Like everyone else I would prefer antiques stayed original but an identical reproduction part is a very smart way to avoid scrapping if are people are wise enough to look.

[@eddieharris6004]

Can 3D printers reproduce patina, colour and feel of an original?.....i think not.

[@seana2646]

@@eddieharris6004Thats just silly if retaining the orginal was an option this video would never be made. You can't glue Ivory back on an elephant. You can't sell it without paperwork if below 10% or at all if over 10%. You can scrap the silver or replace. 3d Printing allows you to replace & before you ask it can be any colour you want including Ivory

[@gillianwyatt3577]

Oh please keep it!!❣️

[@jimferry6539]

Just take the handles off and weigh it, there’s probably less than 10% ivory there by weight I’d say and if it’s not just stick some lead weights in the bottom 😅

[@cathrynbyrnes8737]

That’s a shame. I agree that there buying new ivory is very wrong, but why should you have to destroy such a beautiful piece of history just to satisfy the letter of the law?

[@lucilaromero7444]

Exactly. How does this help the elephants today?

[@susprime7018]

In the states there is generally an exception for antique ivory to the rule, sounds like your rule is more severe. You could replace with wood, as long as it too is not on some endangered list.

[@davebento1548]

I think we are missing the point on ivory. When that set was made there were so many elephants ( and so few tea sets ) the ivory didn't matter much. Elephants were if you like sustainable. Today elephants are rare and poaching ivory to make a tea set or anything else is criminal in every sense of the word. But a better approach would be for certified dealers to certify the ivory is say pre 1900 ( as in the case of this set which is original and hallmarked) but then charge a substantial ivory levy to go directly to ensure habitat protection for elephants.

[@PoliticalprisonUK]

It's a scrapper. I see similar scrapped regularly.

[@eddieharris6004]

If mine and in great condition i would use...earl grey certainly tastes better out of sterling😋. The auctioneer says a buyer may remove the ivory and replace with an alternative....cant see that happening myself....i have yet to see any sets with recently replaced handles, but have sadly seen many decent pieces consigned to the melting pot😒.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Such a shame and a waste

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Very wasteful though

[@whatdafoxnfamily]

I know the dilemma sucks... I dont know what year it is, make and craftsman, im assuming a high value one, I think there should be a way to sell it to a perfect buyer, personally I dont see an issue, however I could see someone buying it just for the handles. They could im sure craft that into something else. It sucks but you can just give each office member a peice and enjoy it once a year with the office. Keep it as an office decor that's not for sale. However im my opinion, by destroying a unique as that it was commissioned for whoever owned it. Personally if I was that elephant I'd be ok knowing that though my I was killed for my awesomeness, and still alive knowing im now part of that silverware. Because of that it reminds people that its now we stopped killing the elephants or at least now protect them.

[@lisal4824]

Sometimes rules do more harm than good. Hooray for current ivory bans but have some common sense with things from the past. It is a unique set. Mahalo.

[@eddieharris6004]

Totaly agree. The current legislation not well thought through...sledge hammers and nuts come to mind. The previous (pre1947 ban) laws were adequate but simply needed to be enforced. We see here government ministers riding a percieved cost free moral high horse, leaving behind a wrecked cultural heritage.

[@joanfreestone1707]

Hello David. Do you know if the ivory rules in Britain are the same in other countries? I've only heard about this on your channel. I guess everyone has their own opinions about the rules. It's quite confusing, isn't it? Thanks for the information.

[@seana2646]

Rules vary by country but if your selling to the wrong country Ivory can be destroyed at customs without the ability to appeal.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Sean is right. The rules vary, so best to check!!

[@stephanieknuppel7428]

So the rules are = you can sell Ivory if an item has been made before 1947 but also it should be less than 10% of the mass of the item ?

[@mickfromaustralia902]

Do dogs chew ivory? Pop it into the office dog's care to reduce the percentage.

[@jimferry6539]

Also I wonder does this apply to pianos with ivory keys? 🤔

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Have a look at my video here on the new ivory laws…yes, pianos are effected!

[@OriginalNethead]

1. Don't hurt it! Damaging the set... argghhh!!!!! 2. The rules are (unprintable) bonkers. 3. Even more bonkers here - where I am no ivory can be sold at all. there are some exceptions for antiues but really only for museum quality pieces being sold to museums.

[@reeset2198]

So what happened??

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Client decided to keep it as it was

[@justcurious4060]

just use it, i dont see the problem

[@jodybobble]

Bin it all! The only way to stop this disgusting trade is to make in completely unsaleable. No loss.