Log in or Sign up
Antiques Board
Home
Forums
>
Antique Forums
>
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain
>
Ancient Greek pottery vase
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="2manybooks, post: 2406985, member: 8267"]Let me start by saying that the best way to be assured of buying an authentic antiquity is to buy only objects with well documented and legal provenance. Buying undocumented objects is, at best, a waste of money as it can never be definitively proved that they are authentic unless you are prepared to pay for expensive testing (and sometimes not even then). At worst, you are contributing to illegal looting of archeological sites and museums. That said.........</p><p><br /></p><p>It is not uncommon for a curator to provide an informed opinion on an object's identification, particularly if you can get it into their hands. Museums are in the education business, after all. But policies may vary between institutions. Often it is a matter of how much time would be required to answer every such query. For a prominent institution it may just be easier to say no to everyone. However, museums do not want to be in the position of lending their reputations for authentication of objects for sale. </p><p><br /></p><p>It is almost universal that a museum will not offer a monetary appraisal. This is a standard stated in the professional codes of ethics that most reputable museums subscribe to. It also avoids the appearance of conflicts of interest when museums receive donations of art and objects. They are not allowed to provide appraisals of objects being donated - too much of an appearance of quid-pro-quo, as in "we will give you an inflated appraisal for tax purposes as an enticement for your donation".</p><p><br /></p><p>Depending on where you are located, you might have more luck approaching a smaller museum associated with a university. If you are in the midwest US (assuming that is why you initially suggested the Art Institute of Chicago), you might try the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. But again, the pandemic will be a problem.</p><p><br /></p><p>Another alternative, of course, is approaching a gallery or appraiser that specializes in antiquities. Either way, for archeological objects it will be necessary for a specialist to handle the item to accurately assess the materials and condition.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="2manybooks, post: 2406985, member: 8267"]Let me start by saying that the best way to be assured of buying an authentic antiquity is to buy only objects with well documented and legal provenance. Buying undocumented objects is, at best, a waste of money as it can never be definitively proved that they are authentic unless you are prepared to pay for expensive testing (and sometimes not even then). At worst, you are contributing to illegal looting of archeological sites and museums. That said......... It is not uncommon for a curator to provide an informed opinion on an object's identification, particularly if you can get it into their hands. Museums are in the education business, after all. But policies may vary between institutions. Often it is a matter of how much time would be required to answer every such query. For a prominent institution it may just be easier to say no to everyone. However, museums do not want to be in the position of lending their reputations for authentication of objects for sale. It is almost universal that a museum will not offer a monetary appraisal. This is a standard stated in the professional codes of ethics that most reputable museums subscribe to. It also avoids the appearance of conflicts of interest when museums receive donations of art and objects. They are not allowed to provide appraisals of objects being donated - too much of an appearance of quid-pro-quo, as in "we will give you an inflated appraisal for tax purposes as an enticement for your donation". Depending on where you are located, you might have more luck approaching a smaller museum associated with a university. If you are in the midwest US (assuming that is why you initially suggested the Art Institute of Chicago), you might try the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. But again, the pandemic will be a problem. Another alternative, of course, is approaching a gallery or appraiser that specializes in antiquities. Either way, for archeological objects it will be necessary for a specialist to handle the item to accurately assess the materials and condition.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Antiques Board
Home
Forums
>
Antique Forums
>
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain
>
Ancient Greek pottery vase
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Registered Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...