Illegal hunting
has rightly led
to restrictions
on trade in this
sensitive
substance.
However,
collecting
antique Ivory
can be
compatible with
the ideals of
wildlife
conservation .
'Four by fours,
fur coats, fox
hunting, smoking
and the wearing
of ivory have
all become
politically
incorrect, if
not taboo, in
our newly
sensitive
society.
Horrifying
pictures of the
suffering of
elephants at the
hands of illegal
hunters have led
to the
prohibition of
the practice and
restrictions on
world trade in
this sensitive
substance. While
most people now
avoid the
purchase of new
ivory, antiques
seem compatible
with the ideals
of wildlife
conservation...'
Black Collectables.
'Fitting in with
our chosen
‘controversial’
theme this month
is a new book
published by the
Antique
Collectors Club
entitled Buy
Golly! The
History of Black
Collectables.
For the past
four decades,
there have been
many debates as
to whether the
Golliwog is a
lovable icon or
a racist symbol,
and continues to
court
controversy
today...'
Clive Fuzzard delves into the world of shunga –
sensual Japanese wood block prints. Works of art
that are both delicate and explicit at the same
time.
'In the Japan of
the 1800s, the
colour woodcut
print was the
most popular art
form of the day.
The artists of
the so-called
floating world
or ukiyo-e
portrayed real
life personages
and situations
as the subject
matter for their
wood block
prints...'
Anything Goes - Art Deco
figurines.
By Margaret
Powling
'Art has had the
ability to shock
in every
culture, in
every age. King
Amenophis IV of
Egypt was,
according to art
historian, E H
Gombrich, a
heretic who
broke with many
of the customs
hallowed by
age-old
tradition. “He
called himself
Akhnaton, after
his god... and
the pictures he
commissioned
must have
shocked the
Egyptians of his
day by their
novelty,” says
Gombrich,...'
In the not too distant past, collecting birds’
eggs and butterflies was immensely popular and
perfectly legal. Rupert Morris investigates the
current situation.
'What makes a
perfect subject
for collecting?
Beautiful
objects that
look great when
displayed
together would
probably be the
most important
criterion for
most collectors...'
