It could be, perhaps, a one-off Antiques Roadshow, but only for objects made entirely from, or simply containing some ivory element, however small.
Or an informative romp with an art historian, such as Andrew Graham-Dixon’s recent BBC series on royal collectors.
A museum collection could be examined in an attempt to answer the question as to what one might define as ‘museum quality’.
The case could be made for the uninterrupted trade in antique ivory while making it clear that the antique trade has no love for the modern trade in smuggled ivory from poached and slaughtered elephants.
It might, just might, demonstrate to those who want a complete ban on the trade in all ivory, just how damaging their campaign is.
Daniel Fearon
Member, The British Numismatic Trade Association
New Malden
