Antique carved elephant tusk - how to find value?

[kiethton]

Firstly to say this isn't to sell at the moment - purely for insurance purposes

When my grandmother passed away 5 years ago i was left an intricately carved, old elephant tusk (not marble/resin) likely picked up when her and her ancestors lived in Malawi, moved back to the UK in the 1950's so its rather old.

The tusk itself is about 2 1/2 feet long and 3D with carvings around the circumference - not a flat one as you can get.

Its in perfect condition and rarely sees the light of day.

Is anybody able to give me a ballpark value to declare to the insurers? - It is my intention to procure a display stand for it when funds allow (not that I agree with killing elephants for their tusks...although this one likely died over 80 years ago)

[davepoth]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=967...

We've done this before, as it turns out. Obviously the insurance valuation will be a bit different - probably best to contact an antique dealer.

[GTIR]

I think we've done everything before.

[eldar]

Might not be straightforward, CITES laws may apply. Depends on when and where the tusk was obtained.

Hove a look here http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/cites/FAQs.html#a...

[kiethton]

eldar said:

Might not be straightforward, CITES laws may apply. Depends on when and where the tusk was obtained.

Hove a look here http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/cites/FAQs.html#a...

Hmmm I think it was likely carved in the 1940's/50's - It mentions when it was moved to the UK - late 50's at a guess - would this make it un-sellable in this situation?

The tusk was likely brought in Kenya/Mombassa/Malawi as they lived there during the war and to the late 50's

[The Moose]

Do you have a photograph of the tusk? This sort of thing interests me massively. If you'd rather PM me than post on a public forum, that's cool - I'd really love to see just a photograph

[Jasandjules]

The Moose said:

Do you have a photograph of the tusk? This sort of thing interests me massively. If you'd rather PM me than post on a public forum, that's cool - I'd really love to see just a photograph

Surely antlers more?

[kiethton]

The Moose said:

Do you have a photograph of the tusk? This sort of thing interests me massively. If you'd rather PM me than post on a public forum, that's cool - I'd really love to see just a photograph

[The Moose]

Wow - that's truly epic!

I think that's awesome. Very cool!

[Hoofy]

I'm torn between thinking "Yo, dawg!" and "The Human Centipede".

[Number 5]

From the other thread:



Beyond Rational Said:

Use it to turn a horse into a Unicorn. Then sell the Unicorn. Selling Unicorns isn't illegal.

[kiethton]

Hoofy said:

"The Human Centipede"

I'd never thought of it like that but now I totally see it.....

[Hoofy]