Ethics of using elephant ivory in crafts

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NanaSarah

New Member
Location
Washingto State
I just met a man who takes old (useless) pianos, tears them apart and reuses the beautiful old wood for projects. As they are quite old, most have ivory keys. It is legal for an individual to own ivory from ONE keyboard, and to use it in arts/crafts for sale. He has offered to share some of the ivory with me to use in my projects. I'm torn.

I am horrified by the ivory trade and the killing of elephants to the point of what one day will likely be their extinction. Then again, the elephants this ivory came from are already dead...were killed a very long time ago, and the ivory just being dumped in a landfill could be considered adding insult to injury. It is quite beautiful and I think I would use it in a way that honors the elephants. But STILL it is a product gained from the murder of these beautiful animals. I don't have the same distress about using bone beads or antlers for some reason.

I'd like your thoughts about my using this product. Should I? Shouldn't I? Why? Why not? Thanks for your input!
 

I would use it.

If you sell your crafts I would include a little note that explains the source of the ivory and the fact that it is reclaimed ivory, maybe increase your prices by a dollar or two and make a donation to a wildlife group.

Good luck!!!
 
Good question. I don't know what I'd do if I were you.

I also wonder about someone I know who has several drink stirrers made of ivory that were brought home from Asia after WW2. They are pretty with animals and birds carved on the ends. Some are taking these old works of art and destroying them. I think it was on this forum a long time ago I saw a video on that. I believe it was in the art area. Here again I'm not sure what I would do. I'd be torn if it were me.
 

I agree with Bea Sarah, I would use it and maybe add a notation like she said if you intend to sell it. I am against the ivory trade and the killing of elephants also, but in this case I don't see any reason you should be concerned. Like you say, the ivory is very old and it's legal, better to be used in a good way and cherished by someone than end up in a dump somewhere.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I would use it.

If you sell your crafts I would include a little note that explains the source of the ivory and the fact that it is reclaimed ivory, maybe increase your prices by a dollar or two and make a donation to a wildlife group.

Good luck!!!
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I'd use it too. This was harvested before there were laws protecting the elephants so no one should be to blame and why not put it to use. It doesn't mean you condone what happened. I'd be careful though, because some people feel strongly on this issue and might not understand.
 
I would not use it but that's just me. Being legal doesn't make any difference to me. To me its a moral choice. Only you can decide if it fits yours.
 
Legally you can sell ivory if you have evidence it was gathered prior to some time around 50 years ago (can't recall the exact year) but there are no laws about using ivory in your possession. Personally I would have such distaste for using it for anything that it would spoil it for me.

The only positive thing I can think of (given it is old enough) would be to make something, sell it and give the proceeds to an elephant protection charity.
 
Anything that either inspires or popularizes the senseless killing and genocide of a species for parts to be used in decoration is wrong, in my opinion.
 
Whales are protected now. So. Should we just throw away those beautiful scrimshaw items carved by sailors when whaling was an industry.?

It's a sad fact of life that if a human has to eat something else has to die unless you are 100% vegetarian and even then, the plant has to die.
 
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