03/10/2016 - 13:54
<p>Ivory is a delicate object, and subject. Everyone agrees that poaching, ivory trading and similar illegal activities are a disgrace and should be ended now. On the other hand, ivory-carving is a beautiful art which must live on. Here in Dieppe, many people are defenders of this craft, as the town can pride itself on being one of Europe’s ivory-carving capitals. Ivory trade developed between Dieppe and Guinea in the 17<sup>th</sup> century, and since then a small guild of artisans has passed down the techniques from master to apprentice. Today, there are only five ivory carvers left in France, two of whom live and work in Dieppe. One particular family, les Colette, have been perpetrating this tradition for centuries in a beautiful workshop tucked away in the rue Ango, just a few steps away from the marina. Some of the finest ivory figures of all time were carved in Dieppe, and the town’s famous museum situated in the castle dominating the seafront is the sanctuary of Europe’s largest ivory collection gathering together 1600 remarkable pieces.</p>
<p>Although the remaining sculptors only work with small antique cuts of ivory, refusing to touch any pieces supplied by modern poaching, new procedures now demand that all ivory objects regardless of date must receive prior approval before they are sold. These measures unfolded in August, when Ségolène Royal, the French environment minister, passed an executive order controlling the sale of all species of elephant ivory. Whilst the Minister’s intentions are commendable, the few remaining professionals believe that these red tape procedures will have a dramatic negative effect on the French art market. They also find the measures all the more incomprehensible since their profession was officially recognized as an art craft in last December by a decree relating to the development and promotion of trade and crafts.</p>
<p>According to Dieppe Mayor, Sébastien Jumel, genuine solutions are found through negotiation and pragmatism such as the establishment of licences allowing professionals to buy ivory from existing stocks. <em>“Ivory carvers in Dieppe already work with material whose source can be clearly traced, identified and controlled. They do not feed in any way illegal trafficking and don’t pose a threat to the species. Their ivory mostly comes from stocks accumulated over the centuries and their commercial impact is marginal”. </em>Afraid that Dieppe’s ivory carvers will no longer be able to exercise their art in the months to come, Sébastien Jumel wrote a letter to Ségolène Royal last week alerting her to the situation and inviting her to dialogue. The future has yet to be carved…</p>
Carving history
<p>Ivory is a delicate object, and subject. Everyone agrees that poaching, ivory trading and similar illegal activities are a disgrace and should be ended now. On the other hand, ivory-carving is a beautiful art which must live on. Here in Dieppe, many people are defenders of this craft, as the town can pride itself on being one of Europe’s ivory-carving capitals. Ivory trade developed between Dieppe and Guinea in the 17<sup>th</sup> century, and since then a small guild of artisans has passed down the techniques from master to apprentice. Today, there are only five ivory carvers left in France, two of whom live and work in Dieppe. One particular family, les Colette, have been perpetrating this tradition for centuries in a beautiful workshop tucked away in the rue Ango, just a few steps away from the marina. Some of the finest ivory figures of all time were carved in Dieppe, and the town’s famous museum situated in the castle dominating the seafront is the sanctuary of Europe’s largest ivory collection gathering together 1600 remarkable pieces.</p>
<p>Although the remaining sculptors only work with small antique cuts of ivory, refusing to touch any pieces supplied by modern poaching, new procedures now demand that all ivory objects regardless of date must receive prior approval before they are sold. These measures unfolded in August, when Ségolène Royal, the French environment minister, passed an executive order controlling the sale of all species of elephant ivory. Whilst the Minister’s intentions are commendable, the few remaining professionals believe that these red tape procedures will have a dramatic negative effect on the French art market. They also find the measures all the more incomprehensible since their profession was officially recognized as an art craft in last December by a decree relating to the development and promotion of trade and crafts.</p>
<p>According to Dieppe Mayor, Sébastien Jumel, genuine solutions are found through negotiation and pragmatism such as the establishment of licences allowing professionals to buy ivory from existing stocks. <em>“Ivory carvers in Dieppe already work with material whose source can be clearly traced, identified and controlled. They do not feed in any way illegal trafficking and don’t pose a threat to the species. Their ivory mostly comes from stocks accumulated over the centuries and their commercial impact is marginal”. </em>Afraid that Dieppe’s ivory carvers will no longer be able to exercise their art in the months to come, Sébastien Jumel wrote a letter to Ségolène Royal last week alerting her to the situation and inviting her to dialogue. The future has yet to be carved…</p>
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