Posted on 11/06/2008 5:51:14 PM PST by JoeProBono
South Africa has held the world's biggest legal sale of ivory for almost 20 years.
The auction in Pretoria of more than 51 tonnes of elephant tusks was sanctioned by the UN body which oversees trade in endangered species.
The tusks sold for $142 per kilo, netting the government $6.7m (£4.2m) -less than expected.
The South African government has been condemned by conservation groups and other African countries for the sale.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
$2.7mn Ivory Craved Car Up for Auction
Renowned Folk art master Su Zhongyang lately designed this elegant ivory carving masterpiece “Jiu Jiu Xiang Long” that is festooned with 99 auspicious dragons. Presently, the car is is exhibited in Guangzhou’s Zhenhai Tower and worth $2.7 million. The designer artwork is 4.5 meters long, 1.81 meters wide and 1.9 meters high and weighs 2 tonnes. The body of the car is clad with ivory and yak bone bathed in diamond and gold. The sales generated would be donated to the Guangzhou Asian Games to be launched in 2010.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.