I recently inherited some Chinese figurines. Most about 3 inches tall. I have a sneaking suspicion some of them might be ivory.
I’m looking for an appraiser who could tell me what this collection is worth. Preferably in the intermountain region (I’m in Utah, closer to Las Vegas than Salt Lake City), but my search has proven pretty useless, so anywhere would be nice. A starting point.
Also, if some pieces DO happen to be ivory, what are the legalities? I know they were bought in the USA in the 1960s.
Try the American Society of Appraisers, 1-800-ASA-VALU, and they can put you in touch with an expert in Asian antiquities.
I appraised fine and decorative art for 14 years, and my associate studied Asian decorative art at Sotheby’s in London, but he’s in Indiana, and retired. They also have a website you can Google.
Oh, and as to ivory: if they were made before the ban was passed in 1975, there should be no legal problems whatever. The biggest deal here is that 90% of all the ivory I’ve seen was bone, plastic or celluloid.