ES Views Letter of the Day: So little control over ivory trade

Our fears for the African elephant and an understandable desire for action should not delude us into believing a blanket ban on the sale of cultural objects made from ivory hundreds of years ago will save one single elephant.

Buyers in Asia represent the main demand for ivory as a material, whether modern bangles or mass-carved replica Buddhas — they are not remotely interested in acquiring an 18th-century portrait

miniature of an English lady painted on ivory.

It’s perfectly possible to respect our heritage and understand it was created in a different era, while combatting the deplorable illicit trade in modern ivory.

The antiques trade supports sensible, properly targeted measures to prevent recently poached ivory appearing on sale. They also welcome the Government’s proposed ban on the sale of ivory items up to 70 years old and will work with stakeholders to develop additional measures to ensure the ban is properly enforced.
Mark Dodgson, British Antique Dealers’ Association

An edited version of this letter appeared in print.

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