Letters to the Editor

MADAM – The article on Hannah Snell (Fairs & Markets, ATG No 2328) mentions etchings and 15 pages about her life and times.

MADAM – With the plethora of antiques-related shows on television, may I suggest that perhaps you could use your influence to have a specialist present a show on the subject of ivory in art.

MADAM – Although I think that the BADA certification programme goes some way to pacifying the waters, the conservationists have very strong support even if they are blind to the past as seen in the story about wildlife charity Born Free launching an ivory ‘amnesty’ (ATG No 2329).

MADAM – The continual allure of the Napoleonic period as referenced in Dealers’ Diary recently (‘Nutty about Napoleon', ATG No 2327) is indeed most interesting.

MADAM – I read with interest the recent article by Milton Silverman discussing a bidding contest in Europe (A lawyer writes, ATG No 2327).

MADAM – While John Trory is correct to state that “there are no ‘lanes’ in North Laine”, he is wrong about “South Laine” (ATG No 2327).

Given the Antique Plate Committee (APC) is undertaking a “crackdown” (ATG No 2328), there are a couple of current issues I would like to highlight.

MADAM – Re: the article ‘So what is museum quality?’ (Letters, ATG No 2328).

It is mandatory for all members of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA) to have a separate client account or to use an alternative method of protecting client funds that has been approved by SOFAA’s committee, rather than ‘strongly advising’ all members to do so, as written in ATG No 2327. ATG apologises for this error.

MADAM – I’ve been reading ATG’s coverage of Mossgreen’s issues with interest, not least regarding client accounts, or lack of (ATG No 2327).

MADAM – You may call me a pedant but in Brighton there is no such place as the North Lanes.

MADAM – Here’s an insight into my week. Tuesday: I receive my copy of Antiques Trade Gazette. I read it fairly thoroughly, often starting with Bid Barometer. Then with trepidation I move onto Letters, this week almost entirely devoted to ivory.

MADAM – I thought your readers might like to know that grant funding is available for anyone doing research that includes printing on British ceramics.

MADAM – Re: the British Art Market Federation (BAMF) proposal for exempting ‘museum-quality ivory’ from any ban (ATG No 2324), where does that leave us?

MADAM – This week I listened in utter disbelief as actress and wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna spoke on Radio 4’s Today programme calling for the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow to no longer show any items which contain ivory elements.

MADAM – It is not clear from all the correspondence and articles in ATG as to whether the ivory ban will be limited to elephant and marine ivory and, if so, leaving one free to trade in items made from mammoth, warthog and hippo ivory.

MADAM – May I bring this sad news to your readers’ attention please?

MADAM – My husband and I are private collectors of antiques and we made a submission to Defra’s ivory consultation.

MADAM – In the first issue of the New Year (ATG No 2323) you report on page 7 that your readers “are vexed by fakes more than Brexit”.

MADAM – I have just seen Roland Arkell’s article on the discovery of a John Bartlam teapot (ATG No 2323). You may be interested to know that I used to own two of the previously recorded pieces of Bartlam porcelain which were originally believed to be Isleworth.