Ivory handled kothimoda -- posted for John Powell

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

Joined
Mar 5, 1999
Messages
34,096
This is posted for John Powell who is having problems getting pix to post.

ff978507.jpg.orig.jpg






Author Topic: a cautionary tale
JP Member posted 07-06-2000 19:49 In early June I bought at auction a very nice ivory handled 'kothimora' (a presentation kukri). 2 weeks ago I received a letter from the Dept. of the Interior in Dallas, Texas that this knife was seized as there was no authentication letter stating age and more importantly, no CITES certificate. Seems the auction house neglected to attach this in the package and the piece was caught in a random check. After many FAXES, emails and international phone calls the proper documentation is being shipped to the proper authorities. I have had many knives (some with exotic species handles)shipped in from the UK, Canada and even India with no problem thinking that being antiques they were OK. Not so. Anything with ivory, certain horn, sea turtle, lizard skin, bird feathers, etc. has to have these documents. There is always the chance it will get through, but if it's seized and you cannot get the paper backup the item will be destroyed and some great work of art will be lost forever not counting whatever you paid. I should have the kukri in a week barring any more surprises, but make sure you're covered. Even with everyone being very polite and cooperative it was more than a nuisance. ------------------ IP: Logged

 
I can certainly commiserate with John on this as I had a similar experience with my Kothimoda Khukuri. Proper documentation is essential for this and more so when materiel from endangered species is involved.

Regrettable that this has to be done, but if future generations are to see elephants, tigers, rhinos etc. this is the price to be paid.



------------------
Harry

“He who knows not, and cares not that he knows not, is a fool - shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child - teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep - wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise - follow him.”
- old Persian proverb
 
Harry, your kothimoda was busted by customs coming and going -- the only one to date that got the double whammy. Yours has about four times more silver than the one pictured which is the reason it got busted by Nepal customs.

------------------
Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Harry,
I totally agree with the ban on this stuff and saving the endangered animals of our planet. I realize it is neccesary but wanted to post this little story for anyone who may have to face this situation. Documentation is the key that opens bureaucratic doors.

------------------
JP
 
Uncle Bill, I can laugh about the experience now, but it sure wasn't funny for those involved. At least, there was enough good karma to ensure it made it to its destination.

John, you are so right about bureaucracy needing documentation.

Harry
 
Hi All,

I noticed that the sheath has a design which looks very much like a law enforcement badge.

Is this coincidence, or what?

-Chris
 
Chris,
Law enforcement badges are often called "shields" because their outlines are usually in the shape of a medieval knight's shield. The shield shape has always been the principal object for the display of heraldic devices ("coats of arms"). Because kothimodas were often presentation pieces in British Gorkha regiments, they often carry a version of the Royal Arms on a shield.
View


Berk
 
So, what happens with ivory bought some 30 years ago before all the regulations and the place it was bought is out of business. Like ivory grips for the old hogleg?

------------------
No more for him lads, it's time to put him on the wagon.

Himalayan Imports Website
 
Rusty,
Very good question. I have a beautiful scrimshawed sperm whale tooth which I bought in the '60s (before CITES was enacted) from the man who made it, a marine biologist on a Danish whaling vessel who lawfully took it at the time. With zero documentation, it is about as saleable as an unregistered Marbles Gamegetter with a 12" barrel (no, BATF, I don't have one of those
tongue.gif
. I plan to be buried with it.
Berk
 
Guys,
Only Ivory i know that is safe,is Mastadon Ivory.I like it better than the reg. Ivory,not as affected by weather etc.
jim
 
Rusty,
That's a good question and I will ask when I call my new best friends at Dept of Interior.
There are quite a few khukuris that are 'hanging around' with ivory and rhino horn grips and no papers.
I also have some nice early dated scrimshaw pieces, but according to the rules the date doesn't mean a thing.
I have seen old ivory piano keys tied in bundles at antique shows and sold to scrimshaw artists.
I just finished having a new grip done on a khukuri from mastadon ivory and it is indeed pretty stuff. Will post pix when the silver bolster is completed (and if I ever figure out HOW to post pictures).

------------------
JP
 
Despite the problems which compliance with CITES poses for collectors trying to deal with legitimate old pieces, an article in the Sunday Times of London is a pretty chilling reminder of why the trade in endangered species has to be regulated:
"The bankrupt Zimbabwean regime of Robert Mugabe has illegally sold more than eight tons of ivory to China, sources in Harare have revealed.
The cargo, flown to Beijing via Libya in May, is thought to have been part payment for thousands of Kalashnikov rifles that were flown into the Zimbabwean capital at the same time.
"Worth almost US$1m, the sale is a serious breach of rules covering the ivory trade, and is being investigated by Interpol and the Geneva-based secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
"News of the illicit operation has rekindled fears among wildlife organisations that the Zimbabwean government's official claim to be a protector of the elephant is a sham.
"Zimbabwe's tourist literature makes great play of a supposedly rising elephant population, but experts in the country believe the figures have been distorted as part of an attempt by Mugabe's cash-strapped regime to make CITES relax its ivory trading rules."




[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 07-09-2000).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top