Destroying artwork

A. G. Maisey · 10th March 2017, 09:45 PM

Pure insanity.

The information I have been given by a good friend living in the USA seems to indicate that at least some of the states in the USA are poised to become even worse than this matter reported to us by Asomotif. Indeed, he anticipates the situation to become so threatening that he gave me his collection of antique ivory keris hilts in order to avoid their possible destruction.

When I hear of the anti-ivory things going on in some parts of the world, the thing that always comes into my mind is antique musical instruments and religious artifacts.

Can we expect to see this entire segment of western material culture destroyed in the future?

Laowang · 10th March 2017, 10:15 PM

The United States has banned the sale of African elephant ivory across state lines; California has gone further and banned the sale of all ivory, no matter what the original animal, within the state.

In both cases, antiques (100 years or older) and musical instruments (manufactured before 1975) are exempted. Of course, the burden of proof is on the seller, unfortunately. This will make it more difficult to sell legitimate antiques, and legitimate antique ivory caught up in enforcement may indeed be destroyed if customs authorities are uncertain.

That being said, it's pretty difficult to enforce prohibitions of sale across state lines. There aren't any customs inspections as you cross from one state to the next, by air or land. The mail isn't inspected.

To anticipate the authorities entering one's home and seizing antique ivory weapons is a little far-fetched. Perhaps some distrust of the government is warranted, given historical fact, but it seems a little paranoid to think you are at risk for owning ethnographic weapons with antique ivory.

mariusgmioc · 10th March 2017, 10:29 PM

Well, apparently many of my questions and much of the speculations here are because of missinformation.

From all the information I gathered, the restrictions concern ONLY the trading of ivory and not the possesion of it.

Moreover, the restrictions do not concern antique ivory.

For more details, check the new thread I opened on this topic.

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10th March 2017, 09:45 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,191	Pure insanity. The information I have been given by a good friend living in the USA seems to indicate that at least some of the states in the USA are poised to become even worse than this matter reported to us by Asomotif. Indeed, he anticipates the situation to become so threatening that he gave me his collection of antique ivory keris hilts in order to avoid their possible destruction. When I hear of the anti-ivory things going on in some parts of the world, the thing that always comes into my mind is antique musical instruments and religious artifacts. Can we expect to see this entire segment of western material culture destroyed in the future?

10th March 2017, 10:15 PM	#2
Laowang Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 40˚00' N, 83˚00' W Posts: 52	The United States has banned the sale of African elephant ivory across state lines; California has gone further and banned the sale of all ivory, no matter what the original animal, within the state. In both cases, antiques (100 years or older) and musical instruments (manufactured before 1975) are exempted. Of course, the burden of proof is on the seller, unfortunately. This will make it more difficult to sell legitimate antiques, and legitimate antique ivory caught up in enforcement may indeed be destroyed if customs authorities are uncertain. That being said, it's pretty difficult to enforce prohibitions of sale across state lines. There aren't any customs inspections as you cross from one state to the next, by air or land. The mail isn't inspected. To anticipate the authorities entering one's home and seizing antique ivory weapons is a little far-fetched. Perhaps some distrust of the government is warranted, given historical fact, but it seems a little paranoid to think you are at risk for owning ethnographic weapons with antique ivory.

10th March 2017, 10:29 PM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,917	Well, apparently many of my questions and much of the speculations here are because of missinformation. From all the information I gathered, the restrictions concern ONLY the trading of ivory and not the possesion of it. Moreover, the restrictions do not concern antique ivory. For more details, check the new thread I opened on this topic.