New York State has crushed antique as well as new ivory again. On August 3, they crushed almost two tons of jewelry, statues, trinkets, and other ivory pieces. Pictures show many pieces that look like antique figurines. The laws are different in each state, so in some places, it’s legal to sell ivory but not to send it across the state line. In others, it can be taken out of a booth at an antiques show without any regard for age. In at least one African country, the right to kill a live elephant is sold to hunters. There is almost worldwide agreement that endangered live elephants should be protected by destroying their ivory so no one makes money selling it. But many in the art world feel museum examples that are over 100 years old should be spared.

 

 

 

Photo: Xinhuanet.com