Letters to the Editor

MADAM – This week I listened in utter disbelief as actress and wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna spoke on Radio 4’s Today programme calling for the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow to no longer show any items which contain ivory elements.

MADAM – It is not clear from all the correspondence and articles in ATG as to whether the ivory ban will be limited to elephant and marine ivory and, if so, leaving one free to trade in items made from mammoth, warthog and hippo ivory.

MADAM – My husband and I are private collectors of antiques and we made a submission to Defra’s ivory consultation.

MADAM – May I bring this sad news to your readers’ attention please?

MADAM – In the first issue of the New Year (ATG No 2323) you report on page 7 that your readers “are vexed by fakes more than Brexit”.

MADAM – I have just seen Roland Arkell’s article on the discovery of a John Bartlam teapot (ATG No 2323). You may be interested to know that I used to own two of the previously recorded pieces of Bartlam porcelain which were originally believed to be Isleworth.

Copy of a letter to the proposed ivory ban consultation (which is now closed):

Can any of your readers help with research into the obscure 17th century clockmaker William Banks?

Our selection of reader letters summing up the issues that roused your passions in 2017...

MADAM – In your report last week (ATG No 2321) about the forthcoming (December 21) debate in the House of Lords concerning the proposed ivory ban, you refer to “the late Lord Carrington, former chairman of Christie’s”.

MADAM – The entirety of the antiques trade, past, present and especially future, should express considerable gratitude to Paul Moss, Philip Mould, Martin Levy and the rest who strove to counter the ignorance of, not only the general public, but of our law-makers in speaking to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the issue of the proposed blanket ban on the sale of elephant ivory within the UK (ATG No 2319).

MADAM – I write on behalf of Action for Elephants UK in response to Ian Harris’ letter published in ATG No 2320. Our group has been calling on the government to fulfil the promise made in two election manifestos and impose a total ban on the UK ivory trade.

MADAM – In your recent jewellery special (ATG No 2318, page 27) you review items recently sold by Lawrences of Crewkerne.

MADAM – Here is the text of a letter sent to The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, The House of Lords:

MADAM – Re: your piece on card fee changes (News, ATG No 2316) and in particular to Greg Bateman’s (Batemans Auctioneers) and Simon Chislett’s (Mallams) comments about passing on the charges to buyers.

MADAM – In the ivory debate, the argument concerning cultural vandalism has been made effectively. The financial loss to collectors and dealers has been well aired.

MADAM – Theft at an antiques fair is bad enough, but when it involves the memory of a First World War hero and a slice of our patriotic and social history, it is abhorrent.

MADAM – I cannot believe that I am the only one amused, confused and puzzled by your report (ATG No 2317) of the magnificent lacquer panel by the Japanese master Shibata Zeshin being chosen as the “outstanding work offered by an auction house” and gaining for Bonhams the Asian Art in London award at this autumn’s festival.

MADAM – I wrote to my MP in February regarding the ivory issue and his reply stated that the consultation was going to be on ‘modern’ ivory!

MADAM – I was interested to read about good practice in regards to credit and debit card chargebacks (ATG No 2316).