Association of Art and Antique Dealers
International Confederation of Traders in Works of Art
Other Materials
Marble
Marble is a limestone in a metamorphic crystalline or granular state that is capable of taking polish and is used mainly in sculpture or architecture. Marble is known for its hardness, durability and smoothness.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl (MOP) is the smooth, iridescent lining of the shell of certain molluscs, including pearl, oyster, abalone, nautilus and river mussel. The iridescence on mother of pearl fades on exposure to sunlight over time. Mother-of-pearl, also known as nacre, was used for inlaid decoration and marquetry mainly in the 17th & 19th centuries, on furniture and ornamental items. Mother of pearl is the lining of the shell, whilst pearls are the precious shell formations found inside such shells.
Ivory
Ivory is formed from dentine and constitutes the bulk of the teeth and tusks of animals such as the elephant, hippopotamus, walrus, mammoth and narwhal. The word "ivory" was traditionally applied to the tusks of elephants; the word is ultimately from Ancient Egyptian âb, âbu "elephant".
Ivory has availed itself to many ornamental and practical uses. Prior to the introduction of plastics, it was used for billiard balls, piano keys, bagpipes, buttons and a wide range of ornamental items. Synthetic substitutes for ivory have now been developed.
The trade of Ivory was banned worldwide in 1989, although items already in existance, such as antique items are permitted but subject to stricter import and export rules.
There are exceptions of the ban for worked specimens acquired before 1st June 1947, although this applies only to worked specimens (such as carved figures or ivory inlays). This consequently means that unless a valid ‘Article 10 certificate’ is already in existence, all trade in un-worked ivory specimens within the UK is banned.
All ivory items traded by Graham Smith Antiques are legal and in the category of antique worked specimens. Please see the DEFRA / HM Revenue and Customs websites for further detailed information.
Papier-Mâché
Papier-mâché (French for 'chewed-up paper' because of its appearance), sometimes called paper-maché, is a construction material that consists of pieces of paper, sometimes reinforced with textiles, stuck together using a wet paste (e.g., glue, starch, or wallpaper adhesive). The crafted object becomes solid when the paste dries.
Papier-mâché has a long history in the Middle and Far East. In Persia and Kashmir, it has been used to manufacture small painted boxes, trays, and cases. Japan and China also produce laminated paper articles using papier-mâché.
The basic principle of papier-mâché, the making of three dimensional objects out of paper pulp, has existed for as long as the art of making paper. Papier-mâché industries have been in vogue in many places and times.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between 1,200 °C and 1,400 °C. The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain arise mainly from the formation of glass and the mineral mullite within the fired body at these high temperatures.
Porcelain is used to make table, kitchen, sanitary, and decorative wares; objects of fine art; and tiles. Its high resistance to the passage of electricity makes porcelain an excellent insulator.