The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Duke and museums split over ivory ban
Experts claim total ban would turn key cultural artefacts into ‘artworks of shame’
The Duke of Cambridge could be on a collision course with some of Britain’s greatest museums over his support for an outright ban on the sale of ivory.
Experts have objected to calls to make all trading of ivory illegal, warning such a ban would turn ancient artefacts of historical importance into valueless “artworks of shame” that will be destroyed.
The British Museum, the V&A, historian David Starkey, former English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh are among those to speak to the Antiques Trade Gazette against a total ban.
William, a vociferous environmentalist who has described the ivory trade as “abhorrent”, reportedly once said he would like to see all the pieces in the Royal Collection destroyed.
The Government is due to consult on plans to ban the sale of items containing ivory dating from 1947 to the present day.
However, the trade in “worked” items like works of art and ornaments would continue to be allowed.
According to some estimates the global demand for ivory has seen nearly 150,000 elephants lost to poaching in under a decade, wiping out nearly a third of the population.
In November, William warned officials at an international conference on the illegal wildlife trade that “ivory treated as a commodity is the fuel of extinction”.
He said: “Ivory is not something to be desired and when removed from an elephant it is not beautiful.
“So, the question is: why are we still trading it? We need governments to send a clear signal that trading in ivory is abhorrent.”
The British Museum said it supported any efforts to protect elephants and to curb the illegal trade and export of ivory, but stressed this should not include antiques.
“There is no public benefit in restricting the display or movement of ivory works of art made before 1947 and legislation should not extend to cover actions carried out before that date,” a spokesman said.
The V&A said it will still consider acquiring objects featuring or made from ivory dating from before 1947 “where there is a strong link to the collection and within relevant regulations and guidelines”.
Television presenter and antiques expert Philip Mould said: “The thought that, say, some of our most emotive miniature portraits of Nelson, Byron and the young Queen Victoria become persona non grata – artworks of shame for which there is no market – is up there with book-burning and recent cultural vengeance meted out on the buildings of ancient Syria.”
Dr Starkey said the effects of a total ban would amount to “cultural vandalism”.