Ethics and Legal Issues

Wooden Artifacts Group Conservation Wiki
Contributors: Yuri Yanchyshyn, Alexandra Darraby
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Copyright: 2013. The Wooden Artifacts Group Wiki pages are a publication of the Wooden Artifacts Specialty Group of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The Wooden Artifacts Group Wiki pages are published for the members of the Wooden Artifacts Specialty Group. Publication does not endorse or recommend any treatments, methods, or techniques described herein.

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Materials derived from endangered species, including ivory, tortoiseshell, tropical woods and exotic feathers are sometimes incorporated into fine arts objects. There are far-ranging implications with these now protected materials, including legal, financial and ethical issues.

This page presents information relating to a legal and materials overview of these complex situations and how they affect fine arts conservators in both institutional settings and private practice. Some of the resources relate to the multifaceted legal and ethical obligations of conservators when working with such materials. Others illustrate case studies which bring these issues into sharp focus, and options for conservators when the integrity of the object intersects with the realities of procuring replacement materials.

Legal Sources of Materials

The National Wildlife Property Repository - is responsible for receiving wildlife items that have been forfeited or abandoned to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These items are stored in a secure environment, and disposed of in accordance with the law. Many of the items are donated to educational facilities, non profit organizations, and conservation agencies to aid in teaching about endangered species and other wildlife. Others items are sent to scientific institutions to be used in research to develop better identify and/or protect the wildlife. Museum conservation departments may send a letter on official letterhead regarding requests, including contact information, primary description of use, and specific items/species requested. Note that there is a waiting period on such items of approximately 90-120 days from receipt of a request. Requests are filled on a first come first serve basis. For more information contact:

Annette M. Maes

Wildlife Repository Specialist

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

6550 Gateway Road, Bldg. 128

Commerce City, CO 800022

Office: (303)287-2110 ext. 236

Fax: (303)287-1570

annette_maes@fws.gov

Ethics and Legal Issues

Further Reading[edit | edit source]