When dealing with an estate, it’s not uncommon to come across unusual objects. A carved ivory figure in a cabinet, a rhino horn cup brought back from travels decades ago, or a set of antlers mounted above the fireplace. Can they be sold? Do they need to be declared?
The rules are far from straightforward, and the consequences of getting them wrong can be serious.
Ivory – The Ivory Act 2018
Ivory is the most tightly controlled of these materials. The Ivory Act 2018, which came fully into force in 2022, introduced a near-total ban on dealing in ivory in the UK.
- The general rule is that it is illegal to buy, sell or offer ivory no matter how old the item is.
- Exemptions are narrow:
Pre-1918 portrait miniatures under 320cm²
• Musical instruments made before 1975 with less than 10% ivory
• Items of outstanding artistic, cultural or historic value (certificate required)
• Pre-1947 items with less than 10% ivory (the “de minimis” rule)
To rely on an exemption, official certification or self-declaration is needed before a sale can take place.
Importantly, “ivory” does not just mean elephant tusk. The ban has now been extended to include ivory from species such as hippopotamus, walrus and orca. In practice, this means most ivory objects found in estates cannot legally be sold unless they clearly fall within an exemption and the right paperwork is in place.
Rhino Horn – CITES Rules
Rhino horn is subject to some of the strictest protections of all. Trade is controlled under the international CITES convention, which the UK continues to enforce after Brexit.
- The general rule is that it is illegal to buy or sell raw rhino horn.
- Carved or “worked” rhino horn can only be sold if it was demonstrably made before 1947.
- Even then, a certificate from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is required before any sale.
- Without paperwork, any attempt to sell rhino horn could result in seizure and potential criminal penalties.
In practice, genuine rhino horn objects are rare but they do still appear in estates, often as 19th-century carvings or libation cups. The key point for executors is never to attempt a sale without professional guidance and the right certification in place.
Antler – Generally Legal
Antler is much more straightforward than ivory or rhino horn.
- Naturally shed antlers (the type often found mounted on plaques) can be freely traded.
- Worked antler, such as knife handles or furniture inlays, is also generally unrestricted.
- The main caveat is that antler from endangered or non-native deer species could fall under wildlife trade controls, but this is uncommon.
For most estates, mounted antlers and decorative pieces can be sold without issue.
Bone – Few Restrictions
Bone is usually the least problematic of the four materials.
- Most carved bone items such as decorative boxes, chess pieces or scrimshaw can be freely sold in the UK.
- The exception is bone from endangered species (for example, whale or certain exotic animals), which may fall under CITES rules.
- Misidentification is the main risk: some items thought to be “bone” may actually be ivory, and vice versa.
In general, bone objects can be treated as part of the normal contents of an estate, but if there’s any doubt, it is safer to have them checked before sale.
Why It Matters
For executors and solicitors, the main risk is assuming these materials can be dealt with like any other household item. In reality, ivory, rhino horn, antler and bone are subject to very different rules, and mistakes can lead to seizures, fines or delays in probate.
The safest approach is to treat anything unusual with caution. Check whether it falls under the exemptions, and where needed, obtain the right paperwork before attempting a sale. Where there is any uncertainty, professional advice can prevent costly errors and ensure probate valuations remain compliant and defensible.
Mark Littler is co-founder of Swift Values, a nationwide chattels valuations service
