IMPENDING IVORY LAWS BOOST – HANNAM’S SEPTEMBER AUCTION

You would have to of had your head in the sand to not know that the poaching, distribution and selling of ivory is becoming a very delicate global situation. There are impending laws that may ban all sales of ivory even if it was carved pre 1947. A legislation has passed in France whereby any carved ivory articles that have been entered into auction require a 3-6 month examination process, making it far less straight forward for owners to sell their antique ivory. It is also illegal to sell any form of ivory in the USA via auction without accompanied by extensive certified documentation.

It is with this news that Hannam’s Auctioneers encourage the public to sell their antique ivory before the laws change and they are stuck with a banned antique. This includes all European, African and Asian ivory carved works of art, in the form of netsukes, okimono’s, card cases and figures, for example. With Hannam’s having a large database of buyers worldwide, and specialist valuers in this category, we offer free valuations on any items that the public care to bring to the saleroom.

Within Hannam’s September auction, there were notable results backing these fears, along with the increase in value of precious metals, like gold and silver. One item, a lovely late 19th century Japanese Meiji period silver ivory and enamel vase and cover sold for £5,500, along with a superb huge 19th century Japanese Meiji period carved wood and ivory figure of a samurai, selling for £9,000. Another Asian item that exceed it estimate was a lovely 19th century Japanese Meiji period silver and enamel koro and cover which sold online for £8,500.

The European department had some fantastic results in very different categories, a fine and extremely large 19th century continental silver religious ornament inset with diamond and cabochon rubies sold to a telephone bidder for £9,000. A very interesting abstract painting by Nejat Devrim gained notable interest pre-sale, with multiple telephone lines and absentee bids left on the Turkish oil on canvas. Valued at just £600, the hammer price took off and finally sold to a European bidder for £4,600. Another standout item from the sale was a very rare late 19th century Bavarian black forest tobacco jar and cover unusually modelled as a pensive bear, smoking a cigar, wearing an apron and seated upon a barrel. With constant strong interest in black forest antiques, it came as no shock when the wonderful item, valued at £1,000, sold to a telephone bidder for £5,000.

Hannam’s auctioneers invite the public to consign items for their forthcoming fine art antique sale on the 27^th & 28^th October, the deadline for entries being the 17^th October. With great results in carved ivory, jade, gold, silver, clocks, porcelain and jewellery, we offer professional valuations on any of your items. Hannam’s also offer free valuation consultations at their saleroom every Monday from 10am and also house visits to the public if needed. For more information please contact the office on 01420 511788 or at sales@hannamsauctioneers.com.

Lot 210, sold for £5,000.

Lot 540, sold for £9,000.

Lot 941, sold for £4,600.

Lot 1045, sold for £5,500.

Lot 1059, sold for £8,500.

Lot 1117, sold for £8,000.