Bolinsky Supports Improved Antiques Trade Regulations

Photo: State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky displays a photo of an ivory-based painting that is on display at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. Rep. Bolinsky testified with Brandy Culp, Curator of American Art at the Wadsworth.

HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) testified at Friday’s Environment Committee public hearing in support of a law that would preserve the state’s antiques industry, educational institutions, historical museums, collectors and owners of antiquities and legitimate works of art, while cracking down on the illicit trade of ivory products that threatens the very existence of endangered African Elephants and Rhinoceroses.

Rep. Bolinsky testified alongside the Wadsworth Atheneum’s Curator of American Art, Brandy Culp on HB5394, An Act Concerning the Sale and Trade of Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn in the State. He began by acknowledging, “It’s safe to say that all ethical, compassionate individuals and lovers of animals all know about and want to see an end to the trade of modern ivory and rhinoceros horn taken illegally from the wild by brutal, cruel poachers and traffickers. This goal is in strong support of our state being in full compliance to the July 6, 2016 federal law that banned all trade in modern ivory. That law defined modern ivory as being taken from the wild after February 26, 1976. Objects of art, family heirlooms and musical instruments, like Steinway Pianos, produced before that date were classified as ‘antiques’ and could continue to be possessed, sold, bartered, inherited, displayed or gifted.

“The reason for this legislation in Connecticut is to send a strong message of support for current federal laws that protect endangered species and also to protect antiques, historical artifacts and heirlooms from the strong efforts of a well-funded national organization seeking to ban and seize all objects containing ivory. A total ban of all objects containing ivory, even just traces of it, or works of art created centuries ago would render antiquities, family heirlooms, antique works of art, musical instruments, religious artifacts and even many grandfather or mantel clocks to be illegal. Private and museum collections will become valueless and subject to seizure. Tens of thousands of law abiding citizens would become criminals in their own homes.”

In the proud home of the “Connecticut Antiques Trail” it is important to preserve the state’s antiques industry. Hobbyists and collectors of legal antiquities, historical institutions using antiquities to educate generations in our state’s history, as well as the critical need for conservation are critical to the overall preservation of history. According to Bolinsky, in 2017 there were an estimated 871 retail antiques dealers in Connecticut, employing thousands of taxpayers and generating upwards of $2.5 billion in annual, taxable revenue.

Rep. Bolinsky concluded, “Even antique clocks may have bits of ivory in their movements. Silver tea sets and flatware may contain small inserts as insulators, keeping pieces cool to the touch in the olden days. Pianos, old pool tables, jewelry box drawer-pulls; antique ivory was used before the days of plastic in countless ways. Confiscating family and museum heirlooms will not help us save a single majestic animal. Let’s focus on stopping poachers and traffickers of modern ivory now, before it’s too late.”

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