Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2013 | Page 49

ANTIQUES Antiques and Collectables with Philip Hoare F.T.V.I ELEPHANTS AND Since my recent article on this subject other friends there have been further developments and considerable publicity about the fate of elephants in the wild both on the continents of Asia and Africa. Recently an entire herd was slaughtered in Zimbabwe, both young and old; even the babies were killed. And all this to sustain a continuing demand from the Far East for the creatures' tusks. Rhinoceros are faring even worse with the prediction that they will be completely extinct in the wild within the next 10 years. A large rhinoceros horn on the black market can be worth in excess of £100,000. The Chinese will pay these extraordinary sums because they believe that when ground and contained in their traditional medicines it will heal various ills, and create longevity. This of course encourages the poachers and as you will have undoubtedly read there have been a spate of robberies at provincial museums, both in the UK and on the continent, where rhinoceros horns have will no longer sell ivory in any form, whether antique ivory should seriously consider selling been stolen, probably to order. antique or not. I have no doubt that Europe, now while there is still a market. Anything as with several states in the US, will create post 1947 and all ivories need a CITES punitive restrictions on the sale of ivory. certificate (The Convention on International Hopefully this has been a wake-up call. His Royal Highness Prince Charles, together with Prince William, are backing a campaign to Even marine ivory is endangered. The Trade of Endangered Species). If one can make more of us aware, and to try to stop this narwhale was hunted for its tusk, which was prove an item is over 100 years old, there are hideous trade. supposedly the tusk of the unicorn. This no restrictions. How does this affect the antique ivory market? Many auction houses and dealers creature is now seriously endangered. My professional advice is that anyone with Free valuation days for antiques, jewellery and silver. Every Friday, 10am-4pm at Spithead Business Centre Voluntary donations to Earl Mountbatten Hospice Saturday 6th July - St Mary's Catholic Church, Ryde with jewellery specialist from London VALUATIONS • COMMISSION SALES • RESEARCH For further information on this subject, email Philip Hoare on [email protected] PHILIP HOARE CHANGE OF ADDRESS Unit A15, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Lake, IW PO36 9PH MOBILE: 07773 877242 EMAIL: [email protected] www.philipahoare.com www.visitislandlife.com 49