what to do with?

Ian · 10th September 2025, 08:47 PM

Tim,

I have many such items from SE Asia that were collected decades ago, before the current emphasis on the ivory trade. Many of my items are 19th C, but not worth the exorbitant costs of getting them certified. Most will be handed down in my family for the foreseeable generations. Some of the more expensive and obviously old examples I will try to sell via auction within Australia only. International sales are out of the question.

I believe that those who live in the EU can sell ivory items within the EU. That's what I have gleaned from some of the European auction houses' policies.

DaveA · 12th September 2025, 11:14 PM

I struggle with this question too. It is actually a much broader dilemma than Ivory. Take a look at the CITES regulations. Yes, there are some holes in it but basically it prohibits ownership, transfer, transport and sale of a great many items. Most anything that is used in products that are made with materials from anything on the endangered list species. It covers skeletal materials (e.g., bone, horn), skin, fur, sinew, many flora fiber and even fish or marine mammals (such as whales).

My personal approach:
1. Do not buy or sell anything newer than the CITES Treaty
2. Do not by anything when prohibited items are specifically called out by the seller.
3. Don’t advertise it.
4. Keep all written descriptions to a high level (“”horn”, not ”rhino horn”’j
5.;Don’t ask, don’t tell.

I plan to leave the problem to ho comes after me.

Dave A.,

12th September 2025, 11:14 PM	#2
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 424	Er, yes but there is more I struggle with this question too. It is actually a much broader dilemma than Ivory. Take a look at the CITES regulations. Yes, there are some holes in it but basically it prohibits ownership, transfer, transport and sale of a great many items. Most anything that is used in products that are made with materials from anything on the endangered list species. It covers skeletal materials (e.g., bone, horn), skin, fur, sinew, many flora fiber and even fish or marine mammals (such as whales). My personal approach: 1. Do not buy or sell anything newer than the CITES Treaty 2. Do not by anything when prohibited items are specifically called out by the seller. 3. Don’t advertise it. 4. Keep all written descriptions to a high level (“”horn”, not ”rhino horn”’j 5.;Don’t ask, don’t tell. I plan to leave the problem to ho comes after me. Dave A.,

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10th September 2025, 08:47 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	Tim, I have many such items from SE Asia that were collected decades ago, before the current emphasis on the ivory trade. Many of my items are 19th C, but not worth the exorbitant costs of getting them certified. Most will be handed down in my family for the foreseeable generations. Some of the more expensive and obviously old examples I will try to sell via auction within Australia only. International sales are out of the question. I believe that those who live in the EU can sell ivory items within the EU. That's what I have gleaned from some of the European auction houses' policies.