‘Vandalism’ of Chippendale as ivory is replaced with plastic
A THOMAS CHIPPENDALE masterpiece was stripped of ivory and fitted with a plastic substitute before being offered for sale at Christie’s, in a case described by antiques experts as “pure vandalism”.
The 18th-century commode became the most expensive piece of English furniture ever sold when it last appeared at auction in 1991, fetching a record £935,000.
But when it was offered at Christie’s in London again last month, with an estimate of £3-5million, the US seller first replaced the inlaid ivory with manmade “ivorine” in order to comply with a US ban on ivory trading, the Antiques Trade Gazette reported. It failed to sell.
A similar law is shortly to be introduced in the UK, prompting fears that other antiques will suffer the same fate.
The George III mahogany and Indian ebony commode features 20 inte- rior pigeonholes inlaid with ivory. It was the star lot in Christie’s Chippendale sale in July, hailed as “a true masterpiece of English furniture”, with “ivorine” listed among the contents.
A Christie’s spokesman said: “The sellers of this commode decided to have the ivory replaced with ivorine ahead of the sale to enable ease of movement.”
Paul Jeromack, an art critic, described the case as “pure vandalism”.
Dr Adam Bowett, a furniture historian and chairman of the Chippendale Society, said: “Personally, I think it is very sad that we are in a situation where we have to do this. I don’t think it will be an easy problem to resolve but I doubt very much whether replacing ivory with plastic has done anything to further the cause of elephants in Africa and India.”