How to Sell Inherited Ivory

Assemble a provenance for the item -- a series of documents to serve as proof of its age and origin. This might include an original bill of sale, an import receipt and any previous appraisals. For instance, you might have among your documents an evaluation which describes it as an antique and assigns an age by an expert in the field. If the item was bought at auction, then see if you can find the original catalog. Also, go back through family photographs and see if the item appears anywhere in the background. Incidentally, as well as acting as proof and enabling you to move forward with the sale, a detailed provenance such as this can also enhance the item's value by reassuring would-be buyers.

Take the item and the provenance along to a reputable antique dealer, telephoning first to establish whether that particular dealer handles ivory. As long as you have a secure provenance which proves that your item is an antique, you can legally sell across state lines. But note, as he needs to make a profit as well, a dealer is unlikely to pay you top market value for the item. Alternatively, move onto the next step. (For help in finding an antique dealer in your area, see Resources.)

Go to an auction house with your item and your provenance. Most traditional "floor" auction houses now sell to an international audience through the Internet (make sure that you choose one that does). This means that potential buyers from all over the world can bid on your item, driving up the price, while the auction house itself will handle all the export paperwork. If you would like to sell your item via auction, a traditional auctioneer is likely to be your best option, as at least one large online auction site does not deal in ivory. (See Resources for helping in finding an auction house.)