Historic ivory cabinet: destroy for endangered animals? - a podcast by RNZ

A rare piece of art-history furniture featuring elephant ivory inlays could be destroyed because it arrived in New Zealand with the wrong paper work. Known as the 'Pompeiian Cabinet', the sideboard was made by Johann Levien for the 1862 Exhibition in South Kensington, London. The cabinet was purchased by emerging Auckland collector Patrick Soanes, but it was seized by NZ customs because of incomplete paperwork when he had it shipped back to New Zealand. DOC says it has seized the cabinet in the interests of protecting endangered species. Under the Trade in Endangered Species CITES agreement, the options now are to remove the cabinet's two ivory figurines, destroy the piece or donate it to a museum such as Te Papa. Kathryn discusses with furniture historian, Dr William Cottrell, and DOC's National Compliance Manager Marta Lang.

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