He refused to put a price on the item due to its links to the history of slavery and ivory trade.
Expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan came across an item with a troubling history, and he made a bold decision not to put a price on it.
As the camera gave us a closer look, it revealed an ornate ivory bracelet, perfectly preserved and sitting on a purple cushion, engraved with some text.
The lady who brought it in shared that she picked it up at a house sale for just £3, completely unaware of its dark past.
Ronnie went on to explain: “But this ivory bangle here is not about trading in ivory, it’s about trading in human life.”
He described the bracelet as ‘amazing’ but quickly dove into its grim connection to the slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The inscription ‘Prince Jemmy of Grandy’ hinted at a likely African man involved in the slave trade, betraying his own for profit.
Ronnie didn’t hold back his feelings about the original owner: “I’d like to meet him and tell him how honest I think he is.”
“But the value is in the lessons that this can tell people. The value is in researching this and what we can find out.”
“And I just love you for bringing it in and thank you so much for making me so sad.”
One person commented: “Fascinating, disgusting, sad, maddening, surreal. Thank you for sharing this.”
Another said: “Very interesting artefact, it really belongs in a museum – bequeathed or donated.”
A historian chimed in: “As a historian who has to handle uncomfortable topics frequently, he handled this perfectly. I need to steal a page from him.”
“Just saying what needs to be said, and making a statement in the end by not wanting to value it. What composure.”
